The faces on your banknotes
Ever looked closely at the notes in your wallet or purse? We’re sure you notice the number, but what about the faces staring back at you?
Read moreFor Savers
Whether you’re saving for something special or just for a rainy day, knowing how to make your money go further will help see your savings grow. Here you’ll find hints and tips on how to make the most of your savings.
New Year resolutions: save without the pressure
It’s 2020! Can you believe it? Now that we’re into January, we’ve hit ‘new year, new me’ season in full swing. And whilst New Year’s resolutions can be a great way of setting goals, they can also mean a whole lot of pressure and expectation.
Read moreChristmas gifts: who's on your list this year?
It’s the time of year to show people we care. And for many of us, that means buying gifts to make our loved ones feel appreciated.
Read more25 Days of Saving
The arrival of December means several things – it’s getting colder, it’s almost Christmas and, most importantly, you get to eat chocolate every day! Whilst we love the classic advent calendars, we thought we’d help you get an extra something out of each day in the run-up to Christmas.
Read moreTips for treating your family to a wickedly cheap Halloween
The spooky season has finally arrived, but Halloween can feel more like a trick than a treat when you have to fork out a terrifying amount of cash in order to celebrate. But did you know that you can summon these things yourselves using a little crafty magic - and for a mere whisker of the cost?
Read moreWhat kind of Christmas saver are you?
We know. Christmas is almost 100 days away. Many of us are still basking in the warmth of an Indian summer and not quite ready to think about egg nog and mince pies just yet.
Read more3 free ways to get fit
You might think that fitness doesn’t come for free but actually there are lots of things you can do to get fit, that cost little to nothing. You don’t have to fork out for expensive gym memberships, equipment or classes.
Read moreWhat are regular savings?
Saving money each month is easy once you get into the habit. Here's how you can get started...
Read moreHow to save money and stay warm this season
We've certainly been feeling the frosty weather recently, so with temperatures getting cooler make sure use this opportunity to keep hold of your pennies whilst keeping warm.
Read moreAre you suffering from a festive financial hangover?
Whilst it’s all fun and games at the time, Christmas can be a massive financial hit for a lot of people. And unfortunately, it’s not something that can be cured by a brew and a butty!
Read moreWill you hit your savings goal in 2019?
Some of us are probably still hard at work with our New Year’s resolutions. But for others, well, life might have already got in the way.
Read moreChristmas gift ideas to suit every budget
Unless you have completely mastered the budget friendly Christmas, it’s likely you’ll feel the pinch this season (and we don’t just mean from the plummeting temperatures). Well not to worry, we have some cracking gift ideas that can suit absolutely any budget…
Read more6 top tips to help manage your Christmas spending
Christmas is the season to be jolly…but for many it can also be a season of financial stress! Presents, parties and decorations can all cost a pretty penny, so we have put together a list of top tips to help manage your Christmas spending.
Read moreAre you ready for retirement?
A recent study conducted here at Leeds Building Society has revealed some surprising information around what those aged 40 and over save for, and their concerns for their future finances.
Read moreAnother reason to save
We encourage saving so that our members can have the future they hope for. We’ve recently spoken with a number of inspiring people in their 50s, 60s and 70s who have shown how saving has helped them carry on enjoying their life and do the things they didn’t have time to do when they were younger.
Read moreCommon misconceptions: ISAs
Many people think that ISAs are really complicated or you have to have a large amount of money to open one or there’s no point having one at all! But an ISA is simply a tax-free account for your savings. There are many common misconceptions surrounding the topic of Individual Savings Accounts and we want to set the record straight.
Read more3 handy mobile apps to track your spending
We all know that keeping track of your spending can be hard, so we’re doing our bit to help. We’ve reviewed some of the mobile apps available on iPhone and Android to help you keep track of your spending.
Read moreYour best money saving tips revealed
As part of our Savers vs Spenders campaign we asked you for your best money saving tips and you didn't let us down. Take a look at a few of our favourites.
Read moreAre you financially fit?
Did you know that being physically fit can influence how you manage your finances? If you’re strict with your fitness routine you are much more likely to look after your money and have good habits when it comes to saving. Discover our top 5 tips to help you achieve financial fitness.
Read moreHow to start saving regularly
One of the biggest financial challenges people face is regularly putting money aside. In a recent survey, we found that 23% of adults put less than £40 in their savings account per month. Here are a few tips to help you get into the regular saving habit.
Read moreThe Spenders vs Savers Challenge
We recently set four bloggers a 4-week Spenders vs Savers challenge with the help of psychologist and expert in willpower, Dr. Frank Ryan. Let’s find out more about the bloggers and how they got on…
Read moreAre we a nation of savers or spenders? The results are in
Our new research* has revealed that nearly a third of the UK admit to being spenders, with a quarter of us unable or unwilling to save more than £40 a month. Find out what we learnt...
Read moreHow shops use psychology to make you spend
In the last few months, we’ve been looking at the psychology behind saving and spending. What makes someone a saver or a spender? What’s happening psychologically when we decide to make that impulse purchase we know we shouldn't? Much of it comes down to willpower and training your brain. But retailers have plenty of techniques to make us more likely to splurge. Here are some of the ways that shops influence you to spend.
Read moreThe Death of Cash
Cash is dying out, arguably with good reason: it's less convenient, takes up more room, and if you lose it, there's no getting it back from your bank or building society. But studies suggest that the death of cash isn't good for our wallets...
Read moreHow your native language can make you a better (or worse) saver
There are many reasons we might struggle to save money: a lack of willpower, the easy access of online shopping, the ever-increasing use of credit cards. But there are other, more surprising, factors at work too - including the language you speak.
Read moreTeaching your children to become savers
Raising your children as savers is one of the most valuable gifts you can give them, but it’s not always an easy lesson for them to learn. We've put together a few ways to help your kids get into the savings habit.
Read moreThe psychology behind your financial personality
We'd all like to save a little more money, but it never feels as easy as it should. Many of us just aren't hard-wired to do it. We've teamed up with Dr. Frank Ryan, author of Willpower for Dummies, to dig a little deeper into the psychology of saving.
Read moreHow to train yourself to become a better saver
Saving money can be challenging but we're committed to helping you do it. That's why we’ve teamed up with consultant psychologist and author of Willpower for Dummies, Dr. Frank Ryan, to share some top tips on how spenders can become savers.
Read moreThings to do in Yorkshire
Keeping the family entertained, particularly during the school holidays can be a challenge and can come with quite the price tag too. But it doesn’t have to. In honour of our Yorkshire roots we've pulled together a list of some of the best days out.
Read moreSavings plan for the new financial year
A savings account is a great way to start building towards your savings’ goal during the new financial year.
Read moreSpring cleaning isn't just for your home
The number 1 date in our calendar is the start of the new tax year. But it should be a date you take notice of too. The new tax year means a brand new ISA allowance is available (so make the most of tax-free saving!) and it's also an ideal time to give your finances a good old spring clean.
Read moreInvisible spending - here's what you could have had!
Are you guilty of ‘so-called’ invisible spending? It’s those non-budgeted purchases, from your morning coffee or afternoon chocolate fix to unexpected evening drinks. Do you know what you could be able to afford if you kept a closer eye on these invisble costs?
Read moreA guide to tax-free savings
With a cash ISA, or individual savings account, you can save a set amount without paying tax("tax-free savings"§) each financial year. There are lots of different cash ISAs you can choose from.
Read morePound Power: what can you buy for a pound?
The purchasing power of the Great British Pound has changed radically over the last century. Here we see, decade by decade, how much of a punch the pound has historically packed.
Read moreDo you love to save or spend?
What type of saver or spender are you? Pop the kettle on, sit back and take 5 minutes to find out in our quiz.
Read moreFinancial lessons from our members
Our members have revealed that most financial education comes from parents and grandparents. We asked our TalkingPoint member's forum about financial lessons they'd learned and whether they regretted any choices they'd made. The results are in!
Read moreHoliday Heroes - Meet Simone
Simone is a 32-year-old mother of two and writes the brilliant ‘Married to a Geek - http://www.marriedtoageek.co.uk/ - where she blogs about fashion, fitness and travel. She shared her passion for planning with us…
Read moreBrits on Holiday 2016
We understand that your family holiday is a big part of the year, if not the biggest! To help in our quest to prepare you for that exciting but often expensive time of the year, we recently asked our customers how they felt about their holidays, how long they spent planning and what they really valued from their time away.
Read moreHoliday Heroes - Meet Chris
Chris is the man behind www.newdad.io where he writes about the challenges of being a forty-something new father, cruise journeys with a baby and reviews baby products from a dad’s point of view. He shared his holiday planning tips with us…
Read moreHoliday Heroes - Meet Laura
Laura’s Little Stuff blog – www.littlestuff.co.uk – is the perfect places to read about family friendly holidays and more. We caught up with her to get her insider take on how obsessed she is with holiday planning….
Read moreHoliday Heroes - tools to help you get organised
Your annual holiday should be a time spent relaxing, not worrying about how much it’ll all cost or if you’ve remembered to pack everything. That’s why we’ve created two very handy tools to help you avoid these common holiday concerns.
Read more10 Holiday Hero Tips
Summer holidays are amongst the happiest days of our lives. So how can you really make the most of that well-earned time in the sun? We’ve compiled some top tips for how you can get the best out of your annual break.
Read moreThe lowdown on Lifetime ISAs
With a Lifetime ISA, you can save either for a deposit on your first home or for your retirement. Whatever you do, the government will match 25% of your savings. Here's what you need to know about the Lifetime ISA.
Read moreWhy ISAs are still relevant
Some people have said that the Personal Savings Allowance will mark the end of the Individual Savings Account (ISA), but, in fact, there are still a great many reasons why opening an ISA remains an excellent choice for savvy savers.
Read more30 days of savings
To make sure you begin the new tax year as you mean to go on – as a savvy saver – we’ve put together 30 fail-safe tips for you to try out for 30 days.
Read moreSaving for an engagement ring
Your proposal will mark one of the biggest moments in your relationship and the start of your next adventure as a couple, so making this life event as memorable as possible is a must. Our handy infographic will help you save for the perfect ring and more.
Read moreFive affordable ways to propose in style
“How did you propose?” – it’s the inevitable question men and women alike are asked after they get engaged, and it will be a tale relived with family and friends for years to come. It’s important to pop the question in a way that’s both romantic and memorable, but it doesn’t necessarily need to be costly.
Read morePersonal Savings Allowance
From April 2016, a new Personal Savings Allowance is being introduced meaning most UK adults will be able to earn up to a certain amount in savings interest without paying tax. As part of this, banks and building societies will no longer automatically deduct tax on interest earned on savings.
Read moreMoney makeovers in minutes
If you’re lacking in time and motivation to focus on your finances, don’t panic. Our useful hints and tips could help you focus on saving – whether you’ve got plenty of time to spare, or just five minutes.
Read moreBudgeting for your big day
Of all the special occasions in your life, your wedding day will should stand out as one of the happiest and most memorable. However, organising your perfect wedding can be a challenge - particularly when it comes to setting, and sticking to a budget, as the costs can quickly mount up.
Read moreSaving a little each day for a rainy day
Do you know that saving just £2 a day will add up to £730 over the course of a year? Over a decade, that’s over £7,000 - a significant amount of money.
Read moreBudgeting for a baby
Starting a family is an exciting time in anyone’s life. A new arrival not only brings complete joy, but an entirely new set of responsibilities and financial outgoings.
Read moreLiving at home to save a deposit
Many of us dream about owning our home but saving enough for a deposit when you’re paying rent and other living expenses can seem an impossible task. One answer is to reclaim your childhood bedroom, grit your teeth and return to mum and dad.
Read moreBuying a budget friendly car
For some drivers, choosing to purchase a second-hand car can seem like a financially-friendly way to buy a car. There are a number of money-saving measures you can take to make sure you get a great deal as well as a reliable vehicle.
Read moreWays to save on your holiday
For us Brits, on this cold, wet and windy island, the annual summer break is a sacred event. To help you maximise fun during your annual escape without breaking the bank, we’ve pulled together our eight best tips for affordable holidaying.
Read moreVideo - Fixed or Variable Savings
Savings accounts come with a rate of interest that is either variable or fixed. Watch our video for a guide to fixed and variable rate savings accounts.
Read moreVideo - A guide to savings accounts
There are lots of different reasons to save. A house deposit, a car, a holiday or just something for a rainy day. Choosing the right savings account depends on how much you can save, how long you want to save for and whether you’ll need access to your savings.
Read moreBecoming a financially stable graduate
Today's graduates can leave university with debt on their mind. Here, we look at ways you can take financial control as a responsible and forward-thinking graduate.
Read morePreparing your child for university
The time has come for your child to leave home and set off for university. But before you pack them off, here are a few things to double-check to help the move go smoothly.
Read moreThe Savings Habit
When it comes to saving money, we all know that it should be something we do regularly. But with all the expense of day-to-day life, how many of us really do? We wanted to find out how many of us actually saved on a regular basis and how much.
Read moreSavings tips you should actually follow
Here are five classic savings tips designed to have minimum impact on your everyday life.
Read moreThe benefits of financial planning
Financial planning isn’t just about stocks and shares or investments. It’s about knowing what your financial goals are and understanding how you will achieve them. We all know that planning ahead means we can make the most of life, so why not plan ahead to make the most of your finances. But where to start? Here we take a look at how you can start planning your finances.
Read moreTen things to consider before spending
There are a million ways to spend your hard-earned cash, from expensive lunches and drinks with friends, to designer clothes and indulgent gifts but sometimes we need to limit our spending to stay in control of our finances.
Read moreHelp to Buy ISA
With a Help to Buy ISA, the government gives you a bonus of 25% of what you've saved when you buy your first home. The maximum bonus you can get is £3,000. Here's how they work.
Read moreUnderstanding your family's finances
Looking after your family's finances can seem like an overwhelming task. With different incomes and outgoings to keep track of, making the numbers add up can seem tricky. To help you stay on top of your money we’ve put together four handy tips.
Read more