12 Finance & Legal Smart saving


Tech-savvy apps are making saving money and investing for the future more straightforward than ever — these are some of the best to download this year. Words: Elizabeth Bennett


Finances are often a priority when it comes to setting resolutions and January always feels like a natural time to make some money goals for the year ahead. Top of many people’s lists are saving more and investing wisely. Doing so the old-fashioned way


often requires huge willpower, but fortunately, a growing crop of smart, tech-led fi nance apps are making it easier and more eff ective than ever before. Whether you want an app that uses AI to automatically save just the right amount, one that rounds up loose change or another that helps create the perfect investment portfolio, there’s something out there to assist with all sorts of fi nancial goals.


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Best for no-eff ort, automatic savings: Plum T is algorithm-based app


does all the hard work fi guring out exactly how much you should be saving. T anks to Open Banking, a system that can share your fi nancial data with approved third parties, Plum has read-only access to your day-to-day bank account and automatically takes the money you should be saving on a regular basis


23RD JANUARY 2025


NEW YEAR IN THE CAPITAL DISTRIBUTED WITH


in small increments. T is money is then saved separately in the Plum app and can be moved into a savings account of choice or into Plum’s savings account (called an ‘interest pocket’) which pays 3.74% interest. withplum.com


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Best for rounding up change: Monzo T is leading digital bank


makes day-to-day saving much easier thanks to its handy ‘roundups’ feature. When enabled, Monzo automatically rounds up transactions to the nearest pound and places the spare change into what’s called a Savings Pot. For example, if you spend £2.50 on a coff ee, 50p will be saved. While 50p here and there might not seem like a lot, every little bit helps, and it gets you into the habit of saving with every purchase without even realising it. monzo.com


money spread across multiple accounts, it can be tricky to track incomings and outgoings. Snoop uses Open Banking software to bring together all accounts into one handy app. Easily view all balances across current and savings accounts on one clear screen, and let Snoop categorise spending so you can see where your money goes each month and how much you manage to save. Features like the weekly spending report, contract renewal reminders and exclusive product switching deals help money go further and savings grow bigger. snoop.app


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Best for keeping track of all your accounts: Snoop With many people having


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Best for long-term fl exible saving: Moneybox If you’re already in the healthy


habit of regular saving, it’s defi nitely worth ensuring you’re using an account that off ers a solid interest rate. Doing so with a fi nance app like Moneybox, which off ers a savings account with an impressive interest rate of 5.17% AER, can make this even easier and more fl exible to manage eff ectively. Moneybox lets you take out money up to three times a year without impacting your rate, as well as off ering added extras to help save additional pounds, such as its round-up feature that saves change on every purchase. moneyboxapp.com


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Best for beginner or fi rst- time investors: Nutmeg If you want to invest your


money in 2025 but are unsure where to start, choosing an app that helps you create and manage a diverse portfolio can be incredibly benefi cial. A portfolio of investments is always a safer option than investing in individual companies, as the risk is spread more widely across diff erent sectors. Investment app Nutmeg helps you build a well-rounded portfolio with its robo-advice platform. Following various questions about your attitude to risk, fi nancial goals and personal preferences, it will recommend a ready-made portfolio of investments. You can then invest any existing pension, ISA or general investment account into the app, as well as add monthly payments to build up savings further over time. nutmeg.com


Make room for what matters


The new year is here, and it’s the perfect time to reset and refocus. Decluttering your space doesn’t just lighten the load —it helps you work smarter, stay sharp, and tackle what matters most. Did you know a clutter-free home can reduce housework by up to 40%? That’s time back in your day and peace of mind for the year ahead. We know life moves fast, and finding time to declutter can feel overwhelming. But you don’t have to do it alone. By delegating tasks like waste removal to trusted experts, you free yourself to focus on your priorities.


Start small, think big Identify areas where clearing space can have the most impact—your desk, your kitchen, or even your wardrobe. With services like same-day collection, you can tackle clutter quickly without breaking a sweat. Look for providers who take care of everything for you, from pickup to disposal. Some even offer live tracking, so you stay in control every step of the way. Here at LITTA, we help you work smarter. Trusted by over 15,000 happy customers and rated ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot, we make waste removal and


decluttering simple, seamless and stress- free. Our team handles all the heavy lifting while you get back to what matters.


Sustainability isn’t an afterthought—it’s a must.


We’re committed to reducing waste and recycling wherever possible because every step toward a cleaner planet counts. By choosing a service that shares these values, you’re making a positive impact not just for today but for the future. This year, let’s do things differently. With the right support, you can clear your space, clear your mind, and step into the future feeling focused, energised, and ready to thrive.


Let’s start fresh together. Start now.


+44 330 822 6433 litta.co.uk


hi@litta.co.uk


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