How can I stay on course?
Make time to keep records
Check what's in your bank account(s), what needs to be paid and how much money you have left per week until your next student loan instalment or wages arrive. Are you on the way to achieving your goals. You don't need a large amount of time - half an hour per week should be enough, unless you've got a very complex financial situation. Taking time to record and review should alert you to any potential problems. You may also be encouraged by how well you're managing to control your money. Using an excel spreadsheet to record what money is going in and out of your account(s) as well as an electronic budget planner can all be helpful recording tools.
Keep a spending diary
This will help you to be aware of what you're spending money on and to identify areas of wastage.
Check your receipts
Sometimes shops can over-charge or not apply discounts by mistake.
Keep bank statements and other records of household bills
Put these in a folder with dividers they are accessible. Check these bank statements and household biills. Is anything going out of your account that shouldn't be. Some people, for example, set up direct debits and then move to another company and forget to cancel the old direct debit which means this still comes out of their account each month.
Review your circumstances
Has anything changed which has impacted upon your finances? Have you got insurance cover where you need it? Are you getting the best deal and interest rate on your savings account? If you have a credit card, are you getting the best deal and lowest interest rate (but do be careful to read the terms and conditions if you swop cards).