Five ways to bolster your budget without giving up on life’s luxuries, from RACHEL RICKARD STRAUS

Most financial new year’s resolutions are not fun. They involve giving things up, require endless restraint – and are very hard to stick to as a result.

But here’s the thing. Many of the resolutions that will make the biggest difference to your bank balance do not have to be a slog. In fact, you could tick them off your list today and then put your feet up for the rest of the year.

So before you resolve to give up the occasional takeaway coffee that you really enjoy, or commit to giving up all take aways when you really look forward to the odd fish and chips supper on a Friday night, consider one of these resolutions instead.

And of course, cutting back on coffees and takeaways is nothing to be sniffed at, the savings can add up – and if you manage it, I salute you.

1) Move your savings

Opening a new savings account used to be a faff involving paper forms and visit to a bank branch. Now you can do it in a few minutes, from the comfort of your sofa. Choose one of the top picks from our savings guru, Sylvia Morris in our independent savings tables and away you go.  Then you’ll be earning more money in the background without having to do a thing. And by shifting your savings from a stingy account, you can enjoy the satisfaction of knowing you’re no longer allowing your former miserly savings provider to profit from your hard-earned nest egg.

2) Set up a standing order into your savings account

If you really want to turboboost your savings with minimal effort, set up a standing order into your savings account to come out of your current account just after payday. Saving is rarely easy, but this is about the most painless way to do it as the money leaves your account before you get used to it being there – or before you have time to spend it.

You can set up a standing order in your online banking account. You just need the name on the account you’re sending to (presumably your own), the sort code, account number, how much you want to pay, and on which day of the month. If you’re not confident setting it up yourself, pop into a bank branch for some help.

3) Increase your pension contributions

Ask your employer if you can increase the monthly amount into your pension by a percentage point or two – whatever you think you can manage. It’ll pinch a bit in the short and medium term but will make a huge difference to your lifestyle when you come to retire.

Adding another percentage point can increase the size of your pension by a quarter by retirement, figures from financial firm Wealth at Work suggest. For example, if a 25 year old earning £40,000 per year paid the minimum amount permitted of 5 pc into her pension, and her employer paid 3 pc, she would have £198,683 by the time she retired at age 68. But if she paid in an extra 1 pc – and her employer matched it – she would have £248,353 – an increase of £49,670, assuming investment returns of 5 pc after fees.

4) Write a will

Wouldn’t it feel good to have that one ticked off your to-do list. You’ll save your loved ones so much anguish by making sure you’ve set out your wishes should the worst happen.

Most people put it off for years, but it’s probably more straightforward than you think. If your finances and circumstances are simple, you may not even need a solicitor. Consumer charity Citizens Advice has a good guide to getting started here: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/death-and-wills/wills/

5) Open a stocks and shares Isa

If you have savings that you are unlikely to need for a good five to ten years, consider investing them rather than leaving them in a savings account. You’re likely to make more money from investment returns than from interest on savings. It may sound daunting, but getting started is straightforward. Start here with my six golden rules.

6) Read Money Mail every Wednesday and Wealth & Personal Finance in the Mail on Sunday

Here at Money Mail, we are making some new year’s resolutions as well. As we enter our 59th year, our commitment to you has never been stronger. We promise to bring you everything you need to know to save more, make more and squeeze every drop of value from your hard-earned cash.

In these pages, and Wealth & Personal Finance in the Mail on Sunday, we will fight your corner when banks, companies, organisations and Government departments treat you unfairly. We’ll alert you to the latest scams the moment we hear about them so you can be on your guard. We’ll reveal the latest investment trends, savings deals and techniques to help you grow your wealth. And we’ll answer your burning questions with help from our award-winning team of financial and consumer experts.

Now, as always, we cannot do this without your help. We value every letter, email, and comment from readers. If you have a dispute with a company that has left you feeling like you’re hitting your head against a brick wall, have a question for our consumer lawyer Dean Dunham, have a company you wish to call out – or praise – please get in touch. Moneymail@dailymail.co.uk. Wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year from all the Money team.