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National Financial Awareness Day takes place on Friday 14 August 2026 and serves as an excellent reminder that improving financial wellbeing doesn’t require complicated spreadsheets or dramatic lifestyle changes.
Some of the biggest improvements can come from taking a few simple actions that help save money, reduce financial stress and improve long-term financial confidence.
Whether an individual is beginning their financial journey, reviewing their retirement plans or an employer is strengthening its financial wellbeing strategy, these four practical actions can make a meaningful difference.
Organise pension savings
For many people, their pension is one of the most valuable assets they will ever own, yet it is often one of the most overlooked.
It is common for employees to accumulate multiple workplace pensions throughout their careers, making it difficult to know:
- How much has been saved.
- Where pensions are invested.
- Whether retirement savings are on track.
- Whether any pension pots have been lost.
- Our handy guide explains how to find lost pensions in the UK.
Millions of pension pots remain unclaimed across the UK simply because people forget about them after changing jobs.
National Financial Awareness Day is an ideal opportunity to locate all pension providers, check current pension values, update contact details, review investment choices and consider whether consolidating pensions could make them easier to manage, after taking appropriate guidance or financial advice.
Taking just a few minutes to organise pension savings today could make retirement planning significantly easier in the future.
Review monthly direct debits
Many households continue paying for subscriptions and services they no longer use.
Whether it’s unused cloud storage, forgotten streaming subscriptions or an old gym membership, these regular payments can quietly add up over time.
A simple review of monthly bank statements can help identify opportunities to save money by asking questions like is this subscription still being used? Could broadband, mobile or energy providers offer a cheaper tariff? Is insurance due for renewal and available at a better price elsewhere?
Even modest monthly savings can have a significant annual impact:
- £12 per month streaming subscription = £144 per year
- £20 unused gym membership = £240 per year
- £15 monthly mobile saving = £180 per year
Finding just £30 each month could free up £360 annually—money that could be redirected into savings, pension contributions or simply help ease day-to-day financial pressures.
Build an emergency fund
Unexpected expenses are inevitable.
Whether it’s a broken boiler, emergency car repairs or an unexpected household bill, having money set aside can prevent an inconvenience from becoming a financial crisis.
For those who find saving difficult, the key is to start small.
Regular contributions of £10 per week, £25 per month or any affordable amount gradually build a financial safety net over time.
While many financial experts recommend three to six months’ essential living expenses, every pound saved improves financial resilience and provides greater peace of mind.
Book a meeting with a Money Guide
One of the biggest barriers to improving financial wellbeing is simply knowing where to start.
A 30-minute conversation with a Planned Future Money Guide can provide the clarity and confidence many people need.
Planned Future’s expert Money Guides offer confidential, personalised guidance and signposting to help clients better understand their options and make informed financial decisions.
Support is available across a wide range of topics, including:
- Budgeting.
- Pension planning.
- Saving.
- Mortgages.
- Financial goal setting.
- Investing basics.
- Preparing for retirement.
Every session concludes with a personalised action plan, leaving clients with greater confidence and a clear understanding of their next steps.
National Financial Awareness Day provides employers with an excellent opportunity to encourage employees to complete just one positive financial action.
Many of these tasks take less than an hour but can deliver benefits that last for years.
Planned Future supports employers across the UK by helping employees improve their financial confidence through:
- Financial wellbeing workshops.
- One-to-one Money Guide meetings.
- Financial Wellbeing Clinics.
- Digital financial wellbeing resources.
Supporting employees to better understand their finances benefits both individuals and organisations. Improved financial confidence can help reduce financial stress, increase productivity and contribute to a happier, healthier and more engaged workforce.
