'Give yourself a financial health check'

People have been advised to give themselves a health check this new year, but not of the usual kind.

Cheshire Building Society has advised UK consumers to take the time in the new year to think about their finances as well as planning trips to the gym or going on diets as part of their new year's resolutions.

The building society has said that people should save more money in the coming year and with January marking the beginning of "Isa season" it may be worth thinking ahead to next Christmas if you have been stung this time.

Other money-saving tips from Cheshire include keeping a financial diary: The company said: "Keep a diary of all your spending to see where you are wasting money and where you can cut back.

"You may find that by recording your outgoings, you spend less."

Starting a pension and getting rid of direct debit payments that are no longer used are also good ways to save money and, according to Cheshire, it is always worth looking around for better deals on mortgages at this time of year.

Cheshire says people should check out new savings products that are available on the market to begin the new year with a fresh financial slate.

The building society has also offered advice recently to home owners over the Christmas period in warning them to ensure they have adequate housing cover while their homes are fully stocked.