10 tips to help employees take control of their finances during uncertain times.

The beginning of 2025 has brought a sense of uncertainty for many. Developments such as new trade tariffs under Donald Trump and the rise in National Insurance have placed added pressure on businesses, with some facing difficult decisions including the possibility of redundancies. At the same time, ongoing global conflicts continue to contribute to wider concerns about the future.

These factors combined with the high cost of living, can make it difficult for people to gain control over their finances. WEALTH at work’s research of over 2,000 UK workers found that the biggest financial concerns for the year include not having enough savings for unexpected costs (42%), not being able to save enough for the future (37%), not being able to pay basic living costs such as rent, mortgage payments, energy bills, food etc. (34%) and being in debt (29%).
However, there are steps people can take to improve their financial situation. To help, WEALTH at work, a leading financial wellbeing, retirement and workplace savings specialist, has listed 10 tips for employers to share with their employees to help them take control of their finances.

1. Create a budget – The first step is to create a budget. This means working out exactly what your income is, and what outgoings you have e.g. mortgage, debt, childcare, insurance and utility bills. If the amount of money needed each month is more than the amount coming in, you can then work out what action needs to be taken to cover the costs. MoneyHelper has a great budget planner: moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/budgeting/budget-planner

2. Track finances – After creating a budget it is important to keep track of spending. Small changes such as ditching takeaways, taking lunch to work and learning to budget can make a huge difference. For example, the average household in the UK spends £1,278 on food at takeaways and restaurants each year. There are many free budgeting apps available which will help to track spending on groceries, eating out, entertainment etc.

3. Make managing debt a priority – There are many different types of debt with varying rates of interest. For example, credit cards and overdrafts can have rates of 18% – 40%. It is often a good idea to make paying off expensive debts a priority. For instance, a debt of £3,000 with a rate of 18% APR, could take 10 years and 10 months to pay off, if paying £50 a month, with a total interest paid of £3,495. If that monthly payment was increased to £100 a month, the debt would be paid off in 3 years and 4 months, and interest paid would be only £908. A good option could be to consolidate any debts into a 0% or low interest balance transfer card, as more money will go towards paying the debt off. This would allow it to be cleared over a shorter time period.

4. Shop wisely – By switching brands it might be possible to significantly reduce the price of a regular shop. In addition, by planning for the weekly shop in advance, it may help to search for deals and reduce expenditure on non-essential items. Discount vouchers are often available through voucher and discount websites, and some people have access to discount vouchers through their employer. This could mean big savings for those who need to make a costly purchase, such as if the washing machine breaks.

5. Check for savings on household bills – When shopping around, it is possible to make significant savings on a range of household bills such as car, home and pet insurance, and broadband and mobile suppliers. Price comparison websites can help to make it easier to compare the different deals available.

6. Start an emergency fund – Having money put aside for emergencies can reduce reliance on debt for unexpected costs such as car repairs, house maintenance or a reduction in household income. As a general rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to aim for an emergency fund that can cover several months of bills. People should work out if they can afford to put some money aside each month, as even small amounts can add up. Setting up a regular transfer to a savings account can be a useful way of separating this money from regular expenditure. MoneyHelper offers a savings calculator to help determine how long it will take to reach a savings goal: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/savings/how-to-save/savings-calculator

7. Set up a savings standing order – If people are able to save it is often a good idea to set up a standing order for saving into an ISA, often this means that they don’t notice that the money is going into their savings.

8. Start saving early – Saving from a younger age means that money has more time to grow. ISAs are a great way to start saving and provide a tax efficient way to create an emergency fund, or for something you may want in the future. It is important to make sure that you’re saving into a pension from early on and aren’t tempted to opt out. Many are already paying 5% of their salary into their workplace pension through auto-enrolment, with an additional 3% employer contribution. However, we know that many employers will match any additional contributions (up to certain limits). In fact, if an employee is in their 20s, by saving an extra 1% a year with their employer matching this, it is possible to increase their pension pot in retirement by 25%.

9. Beware of scams – Scammers can often prey on people when they may be more vulnerable such as if they are struggling financially. Fraudsters can sound completely legitimate and it’s easy to see why so many are fooled. Research from WEALTH at work found that 12% of UK adults have admitted to losing money to a financial scam between 2023 and 2024. This could potentially equate to 6.2 million adults across the UK. If someone contacts an individual with an offer which seems too good to be true, it’s vital they check whether the company is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA’s ScamSmart website is also a good site to visit as it includes a warning list of companies operating without authorisation or running scams.

10. Take action – People shouldn’t worry if they don’t know where to start, as there is plenty of help available. It’s always worth speaking to lenders too as they may be able to help those struggling with repayments and Citizens Advice can help with understanding on how to deal with any debts. Many leading employers are also a great source of support and offer financial education and guidance to help with a full range of money matters, as well as providing access to savings vehicles such as ISAs and Share Plans to help build financial resilience.

Jonathan Watts-Lay, Director, WEALTH at work, comments; “Many people are continuing to feel the financial squeeze on household income. However, it’s important for people to not bury their heads in the sand and access the support available to get on top of their finances.

He adds; “Most would benefit from having a better understanding of money but are confused where to start. Proactive employers are actively working to help employees improve their financial future by providing a range of financial wellbeing support. This includes financial education and guidance through financial coaches, as well as access to savings vehicles such as Workplace ISAs or Share Plans to build financial resilience. This can make a huge difference by giving people the opportunity to understand their finances, including ways to save money, learn about budgeting, manage debt, and how to boost savings and prepare for retirement. After all, when employees feel in control of their finances, overall wellbeing is improved which in turn can lead to increased productivity and less absenteeism in the workplace.”