Plan for my future

Lifestone's milestones can be exciting to plan for but expensive to pay for. Whether you're looking to start a family, get married, buy a house or retire, saving early can make it a little easier. 

Having a baby can be expensive, so it's a good idea to start saving as soon as you can. There are a lot of costs to think about, like a pram, clothes and childcare. 

You can get started by making a budget and putting some money aside each month. This can help you build up some savings over time. You could also think about opening a special savings account just for baby stuff. This can help you keep track of how much you're saving. To get an idea of how much you might need to save, try MoneyHelper's baby costs calculator.

Buying your first home can be both exciting and daunting at the same time.

Being one of the biggest financial decisions you will make, there are a lot of things to consider – from choosing the right property to finding the right mortgage deal. If you're just starting to save, try our tips on writing a budget. And if you're struggling to stick to it, we've got some ideas on how to control your spending. If you're not sure how much your repayments will be for your dream home, try MoneyHelper's mortgage costs calculator.

Whether it’s a holiday, a car, getting married or some home improvements, many of us will need to save to achieve it. 

The earlier you save and the more you tuck away, the more chance your savings have to grow. Even a small amount stashed away is good to have. To get started:

• download our interactive budget planner to get to grips with your money
• write a budget that works for you, and stick to it
• if you're struggling with debt, visit our Manage your debt page for tips on how to prioritise and pay it off

It’s never too early or too late to start thinking about what you'd like your retirement to look like. Retirement looks different to everyone. You might want to retire at 65. You might want to retire early, or you might want to continue working beyond that. You could be thinking about reducing your hours, moving to a volunteering role or starting your own business.

The new State Pension for 2024/25 is £11,502.40. For many people this isn't enough to live on. The Retirement Living Standards recommends that for a moderate retirement lifestyle you'll need an income of around £31,300 each year, if you're living outside of London. That doesn't include housing costs like your rent or mortgage.

If you're thinking about the best way to access your pension savings, visit our Approaching retirement hub to learn about different ways to fund your retirement.