3 easy ways to... improve your attitude to £££

Don’t let negative thoughts about money stop you nailing your financial goals. Here’s how to take back control…

1 AVOID LABELLING YOURSELF

Even if you’ve found it difficult to manage money in the past, that doesn’t mean that you’ll always be ‘bad with money’. The key is to work out what the problems have been and how to address them. For example, if it’s a lack of knowledge holding you back, then take time to educate yourself. You’ll find useful resources online, for instance, Which? Money (which.co.uk/money) has guides on everything from getting a mortgage, to finding the best savings account and how to go about making a will.

2 FACE YOUR PROBLEMS

If you’re worried about money you may find it easier to avoid thinking about it – but it’s vital you don’t stick your head in the sand. You need to be clear and know exactly where your money is going. So set up a budget for yourself, log everything you spend and check your accounts regularly. If you need help, don’t delay asking – go to moneyhelper.org.uk for details.

3 TAKE SMALL STEPS

If you try to make lots of changes to your finances all at once, it can be overwhelming – so start small. For instance, if you want to reduce spending, make a simple change, like taking your own lunch to work. Once you’ve got used to doing that, add another change. That way you’ll feel good about what you’ve achieved, rather than feeling like you’ve failed if you can’t do it all.