Spring is always a good time to get your finances sorted out. These tried and trusted methods ensure more of your money stays in your pocket.

Getting smart with your money makes every dollar work harder for you.

With temperatures on the rise, it’s about time to throw off your winter gear, and start sprucing up your finances.

1. Review your budget

First question: do you have a budget?

If not, spring is a perfect time to sit down and write one.to know where your money is going.

If you do have a budget, there might be expenses that have changed so update your budget.

We recommend saving at least 15% of your income.

2. Sort out your super

Don’t forget, super’s real money – and you might need some of that when you’re old and grey.

You have 9% of your wage going into it every pay and that percentage is only going to increase so wouldn’t you like to know where your money is going? Consolidation is key. First check your balances and get some advice from us on your existing funds include insurance to find the best fit.

3. Make that tax appointment

Get your tax done. You will feel better that you have this in order. If you manage to nab a return, it’s like winning the lotto. Likewise, if you know you’re going to have to pay the taxman, it’s good to find out what you’re up for so you know what you’re dealing with.

4. Do something about your credit card interest

Ignoring your credit card interest doesn’t make it go away. Quite the opposite.

If you have somehow let your debt get away from you over winter, now is a great time to look at it. Consider rolling credit cards over to a credit card with an interest-free period to pay off debt faster. Remember, once the card is rolled over, cancel your existing credit cards and if possible do not activate your new card.

5. Shed your winter debt

Having looked your debt in the face, put a strategy in place to pay it off.

Unless it is debt for an investment, it is bad debt.

6. Check your insurances

Spring’s a great time to compare personal insurances such as life, total permanent disability and income protection, and others such as your car, house and contents insurance. As your life changes your insurance needs change, and what worked for you last year might not be the same (as this year). Now is great time to review these items.

7. Minimise your mortgage

If you get paid fortnightly, but your mortgage repayments are coming out monthly, contact your bank. Doing something really simple like lining up your mortgage repayments to when you get paid can save you a massive amount of interest.

8. Where’s your money really going?

Use ASIC’s TrackMySpend will help you analyse if your money’s going where you think it is.

9. Make a concrete savings plan

An online savings account is a solid bet because it’s separate to your everyday account and usually comes with a better interest rate. It’s out of sight, out of mind, so you’re less likely to spend it.

If you have various goals, set up a free online savings account for each, and have money transferred automatically after each payday.

10. Get Great Advice

If you need advice on something specific feel free to talk to us on 1300 861 143.