5 expert tips to take control and spring clean your finances

4 February 2025

Financial expert Paul Merriman on gaining control of your spending habits.
 ‘Journal.ie article, 31st January 2025’  

AFTER A STORMY January, it’s fair to say that everyone is looking forward to spring being just around the corner. With the coming of a new season, the inevitable urge to spring clean our lives begins to kick in, and it’s not just the classic house revamp we’re hoping to tackle. 

Whether it’s credit card balances keeping you up at night, or unwanted subscriptions you can’t keep track of, it’s perfectly normal (and a lot more common than you think) for our finances to get on top of us. The important thing is to recognise if this is beginning to happen, and what you can do to turn it around. By taking a few small steps you can transform your finances, get the help you need, and head into a new season with a spring in your financial step. 

We spoke to financial expert Paul Merriman of Ask Paul who broke down some of his expert tips on how to take control and spring clean your finances. 

Take stock
It’s one of the first things you should do and will pay massive dividends in the long run. Paul explained why taking stock is the first step on the road to decluttering your finances: 
"Take stock of your spending by reviewing your bank and credit card statements from the last three months. Identify unnecessary expenses, such as subscriptions you no longer use or impulse purchases. Creating a simple budget and setting limits in specific categories can make a big difference."

Switch to online bills
Another important and simple way to get a grip on your finances is to look at your bills. Paul told us that switching to online billing is one of the simplest ways to gain control over your finances, “It helps you stay organized, avoid late payment fees, and gives you real-time visibility into your spending. Many providers even offer discounts for choosing paperless billing, so you save money and reduce clutter.

Track your financial goals
We all know that having a goal is beneficial, but have you ever thought about your financial goals? Tracking your financial goals helps you stay on track and motivated, and monitoring your progress is the first step:

"When you monitor your progress—whether it’s saving for a holiday, paying off debt, or building an emergency fund—it reinforces positive habits. Start using a budgeting app like the An Post Money Manager to track your goals regularly.”

Identify if you need help
Debt is a scary prospect for anyone, although we’re talking about spring cleaning our finances, there may be a situation where outside help is needed and this is where a financial advisor can come into the picture and provide the professional help that’s required.

Paul explained how it can relieve that additional stress or financial burden:

If you feel like you’re living paycheck to paycheck, are overwhelmed by debt, or find it hard to make financial decisions, seeking professional advice can be valuable. A financial advisor can help you prioritise your goals, create a realistic plan based on your current situation and help take the stress out of managing your finances.”

Start small
And finally, it’s important to remember that creating healthy financial habits is a long-term investment in peace of mind, and there’s no rush. Paul told us that he encourages his clients to start small to avoid any unnecessary overwhelm, “Pick one area, like reviewing your subscriptions or setting up automated savings, and focus on that first. Small wins create momentum, and over time, these small steps can lead to significant progress. Remember, the hardest part is often just getting started, but you don’t have to do it all at once.

Help cut the cost of living with An Post Money Manager. A free money management tool, helping you track your spending, set budgets, and control your finances, across all of your accounts. Make your money matter more with An Post Money Manager. 

T&Cs apply. Money Manager is provided by An Post in conjunction with Tink. Tink is a payment Institution authorised by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority to provide account information services.