When it comes to saving, planning and research are your friend. Make sure you are registered for online banking and do some research on the apps available to make managing your money easier, like OnTrees and Money Dashboard.

Hot tip Set up a separate bank account that is only for savings. Work backwards from your goal and work out how much you can realistically transfer each month, then set up a standing order from your main account. Committing to doing this, even if it’s a small amount each month, is a great habit to get into and will help you maintain slow and steady saving.

Saving in large chunks is hard; saving bit-by-bit is much more manageable. Avoid impulse buys, follow our budgeting tips and it will gradually add up.

Hot tip Write your savings goal at one end of a piece of paper and put it on your wall. Every time money - however small the amount - goes into your separate savings account, draw it onto the piece of paper. Or if, like most of us, you look at your phone more than your walls, try an app like SavingsGoals. Seeing it add up will help keep you motivated.

The more you keep a beady eye on your money, the more you will find yourself becoming a savings master. If things are getting too off-track, don’t be afraid to change your plans or savings goal.

Hot tip Download your bank’s app to your phone and put a reminder in your calendar to check it once a week. Most apps have a ‘fast balance’ check option, so you can see how you’re doing in a matter of seconds (and before you go and spend your recent pay check on *another* pair of trainers).