Feeling the pinch is inevitable after a cracking Christmas 

<p>It&rsquo;s January and we&rsquo;re all feeling the pinch from big present hauls, massive meals and last-minute impulse buys. But January is the time to be super savvy and get the best deals on your purchases from a holiday in the sun to your weekly supermarket shop.</p><p>If you follow a few simple rules this month, you&rsquo;ll definitely feel on top of your finances come February.</p><p>We chatted to Katie Walley, head of <a href="http://money.asda.com/" target="_blank">Asda Money</a> and the thrifty blogger, <a href="https://skintdad.co.uk/about/" target="_blank">Ricky Willis</a>, from <em>Skint Dad</em>, to get their top tips for being a savvy saver this year.</p><h2>Round down your balance</h2><p>Once or twice a month, round down your balance and transfer the excess into a savings account or to pay off a credit card. So, if you have £108.54, save £8.54 &ndash; it really will build up over time.</p><h2>Cashback cards  </h2><p>Representative 19.9% APR Variable. An <a href="https://money.asda.com/credit-cards/" target="_blank">Asda Cashback Credit Card</a> will give you 1% back on all Asda spends and 0.5% on all other purchases. Be sure to pay off the balance when it&rsquo;s due so you don&rsquo;t get charged interest*.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="mum-and-son-shopping-in-supermarket__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/mum-and-son-shopping-in-supermarket__square_GL?scl=1"></p><h2>Be savvy at the supermarket</h2><p>Before you even head out to the <a href="http://www.asda.com/" target="_blank">supermarket</a>, set your budget for the shop and make sure that you have your shopping list ready. It&rsquo;s important that you stick to it to avoid impulse buying, which leads to overspending. Try mixing up branded goods with own brand versions, which can be a way of making savings in your basket. Try it with your shopping list staples, and over a period of time you might find that your regular shop has changed and you&rsquo;ve saved some money on the way.</p><h2>Be creative for celebrations</h2><p>Don&rsquo;t go overboard with gift giving. A thoughtful cheaper gift is better than a thoughtless expensive one and is more likely to be treasured than left in a drawer or on a shelf to collect dust. Also being a nation that is obsessed with <em>The Great British Bake Off</em>, <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/masterclass-pinata-cake" target="_blank">baking a cake</a> is inexpensive and more heartfelt than an expensive custom-made cake. It is also likely to be yummier which is a bonus.</p><h2>Fitness can be frugal</h2><p>Local gyms can sometimes be cheaper than massive chains &ndash; it always pays to shop around. Some gyms offer an off-peak option so you could pay less than an peak time membership. But don&rsquo;t forget that gyms aren&rsquo;t the only form of exercise available. You can always pop on a pair of trainers and go for a run! Or buy a <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/dvd-chart/dvd-joe-wicks-lean-in-fifteen-workout/1000004205722">fitness DVD</a> and workout from home &ndash; at least then you can crash out on your sofa as soon as you are done!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="fitness-2__square" class="ci-image ci-square" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/fitness-2__square_GL?scl=1"></p><p>*<em>Representative 19.9% APR Variable Asda Stores Limited, trading as Asda Money, acts as a credit broker </em><em>not</em><em> as a lender and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Asda Stores Limited only offers credit cards provided by Creation Financial Services Limited. Credit issued subject to status. Applicants must be aged 18 or over and UK resident (including Isle of Man and </em><em>Channel Islands</em><em>). Visit money.asda.com/credit-cards for full terms and conditions. </em></p><p><em><strong>For insurance, travel money, loans and credit cards go to <a href="http://money.asda.com/">Asda Money</a>.</strong></em></p>

Expert tips for cutting costs this January

By Asda Good Living,3rd January 2018

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