Get on top of those New Years resolutions

There's many of us who have already broken our New Year's resolutions. So if this applies to you, here are some tips to help you get your finances back on track.Resolution 1: I will cut the cost of my energy billsIt is often a shock when we discover the cost of our energy bills, but taking simple steps such as keeping doors closed, curtains drawn and lights switched off can make a small difference to your energy usage.To make sure you're on top of how much energy you're using, take time to read your meter at least once every quarter and even every month if possible to ensure you're energy supplier is not air angry bird over-estimating your usage. Doing this will also allow you to understand how much energy you are using and enable you to act promptly to cut your usage if you feel you are using too much.If you don't like the numbers you see, then consider switching to a cheaper energy provider or an online tariff where you can make savings. This doesn't have to be a laborious chore, you can compare the latest gas and electricity tariffs here.And if you really want to get on top of your energy usage and find out how much energy you air swimmers are using just by say boiling the kettle, then consider investing in an energy monitor or smart meter. This little device tracks your energy usage using GPRS technology and not only keeps you abreast of your real time energy usage but it also updates your supplier with your usage too, saving you the hassle.Resolution 2: I will get a better deal on flying shark my home insuranceIf you received lots of goodies for Xmas or haven't taken stock of all the contents in your home for a while, then it could be worth totting up the estimated value of your worldly goods, as you may find you need to adjust the value of the items you are covered for by your insurance provider.If it's financially feasible, tighten up on the security of your home by upgrading the locks in your house to BS3621 standard and consider installing an alarm system. As well as peace of mind, extra security measures can help bring down the cost of your home insurance. And of course if you do already have an alarm system, then get it serviced.And remember, don't just renew with your current home insurance provider, compare prices with different insurance providers to make sure you are getting the best deal.Resolution 3: I will aim to open a better current accountMany people fail to shop around for the best current account deal, simply because we have been with our banks for almost as long as we can remember and don't see any compelling reason to change. But with some banks now improving their current account offerings, it's a perfect time to give yourself a financial overhaul.Consider the recently launched Alliance & Leicester Premier Current Account which is offering new customers the opportunity to earn a 100 cash bonus by switching their banking to them.Resolution 4: I will stop paying credit card interest and find a better dealThere are lots of good deals around at this time of year encouraging you to transfer the balance of your credit card to another provider and many allow you to benefit from 0% interest.Barclaycard is currently offering 0% interest on balance transfers until February 2011 and with a transfer fee of 2.5 per cent, it has one of the lowest fees currently available, especially when the length of the interest free period is considered.If you make a lot of purchases on your credit card then the Sainsbury Purchase Card is also currently offering a good deal on balance transfers, with 0% interest for a period of ten months with a balance transfer fee of 3%.And finally, if you are concerned about applying for multiple credit cards and the affect that may have on your credit rating, then use our credit profile tool. By filling in our simple form, you will find out in a matter of seconds how likely you are to be accepted for the credit card without running the risk of leaving a footprint on your credit profile.Resolution 5: I will switch to a cheaper broadband dealBy switching to a bundled broadband deal where you get your broadband, phone line and calls alongside digital TV from one supplier, you can find yourself saving cash.Sky is currently offering a range of broadband packages with a 50 gift voucher thrown in. While Virgin is also on the ball with a variety of bundles offers including two months free on some packages