10 New Year’s Resolutions from Citizens Advice

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04 January 2026

Happy New Year!

T’is the season to be offering advice that most of us don’t want to hear in between buying presents, eating mince pies, and taking presents back to the shop!

Nevertheless, below are 10 top tips to think about (and links to use) over this festive period to get you starting the new year on the front foot.

Managing your money - effective budgeting is the most important starting point for any low income family, and it doesn’t just mean not spending money. Go to https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/budgeting/budget-planner for expert advice on how to build a budget to balance your income with your essential expenditures.
Maximising your income - Citizens Advice describes a range of steps you can take to help you increase your income, from applying for benefits, renting rooms to negotiating higher wages. Click on the link and see what you can do: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/help-with-debt/dealing-with-your-debts/check-if-you-can-increase-your-income/ .
Spending your money wisely - getting the best deals can be the difference between making ends meet and really struggling. For information about the best consumer products and the best deals on things like energy, broadband, phones and more, try any of the following: https://www.which.co.uk/ , or https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/ , or https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en .
Knowing your consumer rights - we all know you will be taking some presents back to the shop this New Year, so visit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/ to know your consumer rights on refunds and returns before you go.
Knowing where you stand if you are a tenant - housing rights and entitlements are changing soon with the introduction of Awaab’s Law (on mould and damp) and the imminent introduction of the Renters Rights Act. Go to https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/ for the most up-to-date advice.
Seasonal employment - employment law is also changing as the government introduces new rights and entitlements for those in the ‘gig’ economy and discusses new opportunities for work for the disabled. To understand your employment rights, go to https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/ for detailed information.
Keeping warm this Winter - if your energy bills are too high, go to https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/budgeting/what-to-do-if-worried-about-energy-bills-rising for expert guidance. Saving money on your bills doesn't have to mean living in a cold house.
Taking ‘energy efficiency’ seriously - January 20th-26th is national ‘energy savers week’. Go to https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/campaign/energysaversweek/ for practical tips on how to save energy while staying warm this winter.
Taking the chance to help yourself - go to https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ for free, accessible information about all sorts of issues from debts and benefits to housing and employment. Also, explore how your local council can help you with cost-of-living pressures.
Getting the help you need - when all is said and done, if you need one-to-one in-person support call us on 0808 250 5715 or drop into your nearest local Citizens Advice office. We will reopen after Xmas fom January 5th.

Every one of the tips above are practical and can benefit you and your family. The most important one, however, is always the last one.

Don’t let potentially difficult situations become unmanageable. Take advantage of free, impartial, independent, and confidential expert information delivered one-to-one either over the phone, by email, or in-person.

Start the New Year how you mean to go on - taking back control of your life.

End.

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