Build a clearer money system in 90 days
A practical course with examples, exercises, safe AI prompts and printable planning sheets.
1. Snapshot and budget
Use take-home income and recent records. List essentials, debt minimums, flexible spending and irregular costs. Convert annual costs using annual amount ÷ 12.
| Worked example | Monthly |
|---|---|
| Income | £2,350 |
| Essentials + debt minimums | − £1,590 |
| Flexible + irregular provision | − £635 |
| Provisional remainder | £125 |
Choose category limits, a weekly allowance or payday automation. Sinking funds cover known costs; emergency funds cover unexpected essentials. Review weekly and compare plan with actual monthly.
2. Debt and priority commitments
Priority describes consequences, not rate. Rent/mortgage, Council Tax, energy, court fines, child maintenance and some tax arrears can be priorities. Cards, unsecured loans and overdrafts are generally non-priority but require action.
Avalanche targets highest interest cost; snowball targets smallest balance. Neither fixes an unaffordable budget.
3. Emergency savings
Essential monthly outgoings × chosen months = target. Include housing, Council Tax, basic food, utilities, necessary travel, insurance and minimum repayments. Use staged milestones based on your risks—not a generic rule.
4. Compare cash options
| Option | Main check |
|---|---|
| Easy access | Withdrawals and bonus expiry |
| Notice/fixed | Notice, penalties and maturity |
| Cash ISA | Tax, access and transfer rules |
| Premium Bonds | Prizes are not guaranteed |
FSCS, checked 5 October 2026: standard protection is currently £120,000 per eligible person per authorised banking licence—not brand. Certain qualifying temporary high balances may be protected up to £1.4m for six months. Recheck eligibility and current limits.
5. ISAs
An ISA is a tax-advantaged wrapper, not a return. Cash ISAs hold cash; Stocks and Shares ISAs hold investments that can fall. Other ISA types have distinct risks and rules. Verify current allowances, eligibility, charges and formal transfers on GOV.UK.
6. Pensions
A workplace pension is employer-arranged; in most cases the employer contributes and tax relief may apply. Review scheme type, contributions, funds, costs and beneficiaries. Pause before opting out or transferring: valuable benefits could be lost. Check State Pension separately and use MoneyHelper.
7. Investing and fees
Define the goal, timeframe and capacity for loss. Keep emergency cash separate. Diversification reduces concentration risk but cannot prevent loss. Several funds may hold similar assets.
8. FCA scam check
- Stop at pressure, secrecy or guaranteed returns.
- Search FCA Firm Checker/Register and Warning List independently.
- Match legal name, permissions and contact details.
- Use only contact details on the FCA record.
- Confirm protection for the exact activity.
Clone firms impersonate authorised businesses. AI is not verification. If money was sent, contact the bank immediately and follow current reporting routes. Beware recovery scams.
9. Safe AI use
Use anonymous rounded data and never share passwords, card data, National Insurance numbers or unredacted statements. Ask AI to show arithmetic, produce neutral questions and explain wording—not choose products or forecast returns.
10. 90-day plan
- Day 7: three months of figures, snapshot and arrears.
- Day 30: four reviews, sinking funds, debt help if needed and a starter buffer.
- Day 60: compare protected savings, automate an affordable amount and inspect pension facts.
- Day 90: compare actual with plan, update annual costs and choose the next goal.
Official sources
MoneyHelper · GOV.UK ISAs · workplace pensions · FSCS · FCA Register · FCA scams