Things to consider for 2008:

Edited by the Insidemoneytalk editorial team Jan 7, 2008

1) Get a good savings rate, with the base rate dropping make sure you have a good interest rate on your savings. Heritable Banks Easy Access Account is very competitive

2) Specialist insurers are not always the cheapest, in fact they can be between 30-100% more Richard Mason, director of insurance at moneysupermarket.com, said: "Specialist insurers such as Sheilas' Wheels, Ladybird and Diamond promote themselves heavily to women as the value alternative, catering specifically for their needs.

But our research clearly shows it pays to shop around for premiums across the whole of market.

While these insurers may sometimes come up trumps for women, chances are they will be beaten on premiums by the bigger, better known brands.

3) Finally, make sure your utility provider is not hiding a good tariff from you.

Paul Schofield, head of utilities at price comparison site moneysupermarket.com, said: "Energy providers rarely, if ever, tell existing consumers about cheaper options, as the more expensive tariffs allow them to offset the great deals they offer.

Allowing existing customers to languish on old tariffs is a money spinner, but it doesn't help build trust or loyalty.

"Banks adhere to a Banking Code, so why can't energy providers adopt a set of standards to be fair and transparent with their customers when they launch cheaper products.".