Financial Overhaul

It's the beginning of a New Year and for al lot of people that means it's time for a quick financial check to ensure that you're getting the best deal for your money. If like me you made a goal to save more in 2010 you probably opened a savings account around this time last year. If so then your interest rate probably included a bonus of anything up to a couple of percentage points that will soon be coming to an end. I make a note of all of these dates in my diary to ensure that I maximise my money as much as possible but most people don't. That's why I headed to my local branch of Barclays today to close down my regular saver. Imagine my shock when I was faced with a queue this size! Thankfully I was jammy and was whisked away to a booth without having to wait, of I had I might still be there now!

So why don't you make a note in your diary for a few days time and check out whether your rate has expired? It can make the difference between earning pennies on your money versus pounds!