There has been a large increase in the number of properties being rented after the recent rise in interest rates. More and more people are opting to rent rather than buy properties. Fears over mortgage repayments and increased utility bills are driving first time buyers down the renting route.

Christmas can be a strain on the finances and a good way to avoid rent or mortgage repayments being affected is to have a seperate account that money is deposited into each month. You can do it two ways:

a) Have a christmas account. Here you deposit a monthly amount throughout the year so that once christmas comes around most expenses are taken out of this.

b) Have a rent account. Here you deposit all you will need for rent and utilities each month. The account will never grow in amount but you know that you rent is safe every month when you look at your bank balance.