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National Financial Awareness Day takes place on Friday 14th August 2026 and is the perfect reminder that looking after your money doesn’t have to involve complicated spreadsheets or drastic lifestyle changes.
Often, the biggest improvements come from taking a few simple actions that can save you money, reduce financial stress and help you feel more in control of your future.
Whether you’re just starting your financial journey, implementing a financial wellbeing strategy for your organisation or reviewing your own personal long-term plans, here are four practical things you can do today that could make a real difference to your financial wellbeing.
Organise your pension
For many people, pensions are one of the most valuable assets they’ll ever own yet they’re also one of the most overlooked.
It’s common to have several workplace pensions from previous employers, making it difficult to know:
- How much you’ve actually saved.
- Where your pensions are invested.
- Whether you’re on track for retirement.
- If you’ve lost track of any pension pots.
In fact, millions of pension pots remain unclaimed in the UK because people simply forget about them after changing jobs.
Today is a great opportunity to:
- Find all of your pension providers. Our handy guide explains how.
- Check your current pension value.
- Update your contact details.
- Review where your pension is invested.
- Consider whether consolidating pensions could make them easier to manage (after taking appropriate guidance or advice).
Getting organised now can make retirement planning much less stressful later.
Review your monthly direct debits
£8.99 for cloud storage. £16.99 for a music streaming service you never use. Many households are paying for subscriptions and services they no longer need.
Take just 15 minutes to review your bank statement and ask yourself:
- Am I still using every streaming service?
- Do I need every subscription?
- Could I switch broadband or mobile provider?
- Am I paying too much for insurance?
Small monthly savings quickly add up. A £12 streaming subscription = £144 per year. £20 gym membership you never use = £240 per year. £15 mobile saving = £180 per year.
Finding just £30 a month could free up £360 every year, money that could go towards savings, your pension or simply reducing financial pressure.
Build your emergency fund
Unexpected expenses happen to everyone. Whether it’s a broken boiler, car repairs or an unexpected bill, having money set aside can prevent a stressful situation becoming a financial crisis. If saving feels difficult, start small.
Even putting away £10 per week, £25 per month or any regular amount you can afford helps build a financial safety net over time.
Many experts recommend aiming for three to six months’ essential living expenses, but don’t let that target put you off getting started. Every pound saved improves your financial resilience.
Book a meeting with a Money Guide
Sometimes the hardest part of improving your finances is simply knowing where to begin.
That’s where a quick 30 minute chat with a Planned Future Money Guide can help. Our expert Money Guides provide confidential, personalised information and signposting to help you better understand your options and make more informed decisions about your money.
Whether you’re wondering about budgeting, pensions, saving, mortgages, financial goals, investing basics or preparing for retirement a Money Guide can help you build confidence without overwhelming jargon.
Clients leave their session with a clear action plan and greater confidence about managing their finances.
Small actions can make a big difference
Financial wellbeing isn’t about being – wealthy it’s about feeling confident, informed and in control of your money. This National Financial Awareness Day, encourage your employees to complete one of these actions, it could take less than an hour, but the benefits could last for years.
Planned Future works with employers across the UK to help employees improve their financial confidence through:
- Financial wellbeing workshops
- One-to-one Money Guide meetings
- Financial wellbeing clinics
- Digital financial wellbeing resources
- Retirement planning support
- Pension education
Helping employees understand their money not only benefits them personally but can also reduce financial stress, improve productivity and create a happier, more engaged workforce.