January can make money feel overwhelming. There’s pressure to budget perfectly, save more, and undo the festive spend — all at once.

But getting back on track doesn’t need a full financial overhaul. A few simple habits, started now, can help you feel more in control as you head into February and beyond.

Here are five practical money habits you can start this week.

1. Check your bank statements (no judgement required)

Before making any changes, it helps to understand where your money is actually going. Take 10–15 minutes to look through your recent bank statements.

You’re not doing this to criticise yourself — just to spot patterns.

Look out for:

• Regular payments you forgot about
• Small, frequent spends that add up
• Any charges that don’t look right

This quick check-in often highlights easy changes and helps you make more confident money decisions.

2. Pay yourself first

One of the easiest ways to save is to move money into savings as soon as you’re paid — before it gets spent elsewhere.

This could be:

• A small standing order into your savings
• Setting money aside on payday rather than waiting until the end of the month
• If your employer offers the HertSavers Salary Savings Scheme, this makes saving even easier. Your savings are taken straight from your salary and paid into your HertSavers Credit Union account, helping you build savings automatically without having to think about it.

It’s a simple habit that can make saving feel effortless.

3. Start an emergency pot (even if it’s small)

Unexpected costs are part of everyday life from school expenses, household repairs, to last-minute plans. An emergency pot can help soften the impact when these come up.

Try to:

• Keep this pot separate from everyday spending
• Use it only for genuine surprises

You don’t need a big target to get started. Even a small buffer can reduce stress and help you avoid borrowing when something unexpected happens.

4. Use a simple budget planner

Budgeting doesn’t have to be strict or complicated. A simple planner helps you see what’s coming in, what’s going out, and what you realistically have to work with.

This could be:

• A notebook
• A basic spreadsheet
• A free budgeting app

The aim isn’t to cut out everything you enjoy… it’s to give you clarity and confidence with your money.

5. Review your regular spending

Rather than focusing only on cancelling subscriptions, take a broader look at your regular spending.

This might include:

• Everyday “little spends” like coffees or convenience buys
• Online shopping habits
• Household bills such as mobile, broadband or insurance
• Subscriptions or memberships you no longer use

You could also try:

• Setting weekly spending limits instead of cutting things out completely
• Choosing one or two no-spend days each week
• Using separate pots or accounts for bills, spending and savings
• Small tweaks can free up money without making life feel restricted.

P.S. You don’t need to wait until February, or until your finances feel perfect, to start building better money habits. Even one or two small changes can help you feel more in control throughout the year.