There is never time to relax when it comes to making sure you do not pay more than you should. The New Year is no exception and there are financial traps for the unwary that can cost hundreds of pounds.

HMRC expects to make £1.2bn next year from late payment interest from taxpayers. Lots of us will be fined £100 for not filling out annual tax forms before January 31 and much more if they do not get round to it the following months - even if no tax was owed.

More importantly some two million couples are missing out on the marriage allowance that is worth £252 a year that can be backdated to 2020.

Water bills are set to rise in April but there is time to save money by opting for a water meter and to check what free water-saving kit your water company is offering.

Council tax will also increase in April, but many households are paying too much.

Zero interest credit cards can also save lots of money so long as payments are made on time and in full.

It is time to act.

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Shopping is no longer fun. It is hard work to make sure you do not pay too much or get misled into buying things you do not need or want.

Loyalty prices add to the complications and are unfair to shoppers without smart phones or a loyalty card.

Comparing prices should be easy but stores choose to provide inaccurate unit information that is difficult to compare.

We need to take a list, plan our meals, check all prices are what they seem.

Money can be saved and it is very satisfying to find the best value in a packet on the bottom shelf of your supermarket.

Keep space in your freezer for items on their last day that have yellow stickers cutting the prices. Think about cashback and bulk buying.

Put yourself back in control of your shopping.

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We are being beseiged with Black Friday offers everywhere we look. Most of them do not deliver what they promise. But if there is something you need or really, really want make sure you do your research to make sure you are not scammed, charged too much, or sold something that is not worth what you are paying.

While you are doing the research you can also prep by selling some of the items in your wardrobe, spare room, kitchen or garage that you no longer need or like. It is easier than ever before to sell old clothes, toys, kitchen equipment and earn much more to fund new purchases.

Fraud increases during the Black Friday big sell. Pay with your credit card to protect yourself and remember if the price seems to be good to be true the item either does not exist or is not as described.

And remember if you do not buy anything during the extended Black Friday sales you have savedc 100%.

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