Looking to make 2012 the year to save money? Find out how to save from January through to December...
If your New Year’s resolution is to save more money in 2012, here’s a free calendar of money-saving tips to help you save money every month of the year.
January
January can be a depressing month. The fun and frolics of Christmas are over and all you’ve been left with is one big hangover.
So if you’ve got a little carried away over the festive period and your bank balance is now suffering, make January the month to sit down and sort out your finances.
Take the time to look through all of your bills and bank statements – you can easily do this with the lovemoney.com Money Track tool – to work out what you’re spending where. You’ll then be able to set yourself a budget and start making some cutbacks. The savings will soon start to stack up!
And if your credit card has seen more than enough action over recent months, move your debt over to 0% balance transfer credit card so that you can enjoy up to 22 months interest-free.
Once you’ve made those cutbacks and tackled your debt, you’ll be able to start saving more!
This is also a good time to go through all the financial deals you have – whether it’s car insurance or a savings account – to see whether they’re still competitive. And if they’re not, it’s time to get switching.
February
February is the month for all those romantics out there because 14 February marks Valentine’s Day.
The cynic in me says you’ll save money by not celebrating this day at all. But if you really must show your loved one how much you care on this day rather than any other, there are ways to save money.
For a start, the key is to always shop around – no matter what you’re buying. If you’re shopping online, use a shopbot such as Kelkoo or Pricerunner to find the very best price, and then check websites such as vouchercodes.co.uk and HotUKDeals to see whether there’s a voucher code to save you even more money.
And don’t forget to use a cashback website such as Quidco or TopCashBack to earn money back as you spend!
If you’re hoping to take your loved one out for a romantic meal, you can avoid over-inflated restaurant prices by taking a look at our Frugal Food blog and searching for a voucher which might offer you a 2 for 1 deal!
Alternatively, why not cook a meal yourself? Check out our sister site lovefood.com for some inspiration.
March
March marks the beginning of spring. So this is the perfect time to do a little spring cleaning.
If you’re planning to do some home improvements, there are plenty of ways in which you can save money.
If you need to get in a professional, make sure you use a website such as MyHammer or MyBuilder which allow you to get a range of quotes from different tradesmen as well as read reviews from previous customers.
You can also save money by visiting websites such as Freegle and SnaffleUp and using retailers such as Wickes that are generally cheaper than Homebase or B&Q. For more top tips, check out our Make home improvements guide.
April
Easter takes place in April in 2012, which means there will be plenty of bank holidays to enjoy!
So if you’re planning to have a long weekend away somewhere, make sure you take a look at our Have a cheap holiday guide.
And if you’re looking for some cheap days out, keep an eye on our Frugal Friday blog for ideas. Websites such as Lastminute.com, Visit The Heart and EnjoyEngland are also well worth checking out.
May
By May, the weather should be warming up a little, so it’s time to ditch the car and get walking or cycling. You’ll be amazed at how much money you can save!
If you really must use your car, check out our Beat the petrol price hikes guide to find out how you can cut the cost of owning a car. And if you’re going for the public transport option, have a read of Cut the cost of your train fare.
June
By June, festival season is getting well under way. So if you’re hoping to attend a festival this summer, have a read of Top money-saving tips for festival goers for advice on how to check you’ll be fully insured, and how to save money on travel costs by using websites such as National Express and biggreencoach.co.uk.
July
With a bit of luck, the weather will be reasonably hot by now, providing the perfect opportunity to slash your energy bills! After all, the heating should be well and truly off, and you won’t need to turn the lights on in your home until well into the evening.
It's also a good time to see whether you’re still getting a good deal with your energy provider. So take a look at our energy comparison tool to see whether there’s a better deal out there for you. You can save an average of £256 a year by switching through our service.
August
If you have kids, there’s still a little way to go before they can go back to school. And by now, they’re probably getting restless.
So if you’re looking for cheap ways to keep them entertained, have a read of 10 free ways to entertain the kids this summer for some great ideas – none of which will cost you a penny!
September
If, on the other hand, you don’t have kids, September is a great time for going on that much-needed summer holiday. After all, prices will be significantly cheaper with the kids back at school.
For further tips on how to save money on your holiday, take a look at The seven top websites for holiday bargains.
October
If you’re planning to throw a Hallowe’en party this October, there are plenty of ways to save money. Retailers such as Poundland, Woolworths and Wilkinson, as well as the major supermarkets are always packed full of fantastic deals, as I revealed in Hallowe’en party bargains. So you won’t need to spend a fortune!
November
By November, the cold weather will have set in once again. So it’s time to make sure you’re fully prepared for the winter months so that you don’t have to fork out for costly repairs to your home or car.
Take a look at Protect your car from costly winter crises to find out how to check your car is in good working order, as well as Protect your home from costly winter crises for tips on ensuring your home is ready for the colder months.
December
And now we’re back round to Christmas!
Make sure you check out our articles on saving money at Christmas as well as the Top 10 sites for bargain-hunters for some great ideas on where to do your Christmas shopping! And if you want to avoid getting into debt this Christmas, have a read of 12 ways to avoid an Xmas hangover.
Happy saving!
More: Five tricks you mustn’t fall for in the January sales | This mistake will cost you a fortune in January