Five ways to Financial Declutter in 2024

If you’re not sure where to start, try our short and simple steps below.

1. Develop a filing system. No matter how digital this world is, paper bills and hard copies of important documents will still land on our doorsteps. Instead of leaving them on the kitchen table like we all do… why not create a folder for each financial account? Having a location for your financial mail helps reduce the clutter and ensures you don’t forget about any upcoming bills. Some examples of categories to use in your filing system are bank statements, insurance documents and loans.

2. Automate as much as you can! One of the easiest ways to reduce clutter is by taking advantage of the technology available to you. Contact your bank (online or otherwise) to set up standing orders/direct debits to pay your bills. This will save you time and reduce the risk of forgetting to make payments.

3. Opt out of paper statements. To reduce the amount of paper you have coming in each month consider opting out of paper statements.

4. Follow the one-to-two rule. Brain Ford, Head of Financial Wellness at Truist suggests when beginning to clean up your finances, ensure you don’t have more than two of anything. This will reduce the number of statements you receive and apps you need to download. Use one organisation to look after your finances eg your credit union for savings and loans. And one insurance company for car, home etc. 

5. Consolidate accounts. Lastly close any accounts such as unused credit cards and consolidate any outstanding credit card / loan balances into ONE lower cost loan/one monthly payment! Ts/Cs apply.

Get in touch today.

Email creditunion@harpandcrown.co.uk or phone 028 9068 5198.

“Save regularly and borrow only what you need.”

The Harp and Crown Credit Union provides safe, secure, flexible finances for the wider police family in Northern Ireland.