January is where all those “I’ll sort it next year” moments and prior good intentions are suddenly in the present.

That’s why this month at Chip we’re focusing on simple ways to get control of our money and feel a bit more organised.

Last week, we looked at savings challenges, with fun, motivating ways to build better habits.

This week, we’re tackling the real-life money situations people find themselves in right now. If any of them sound familiar, you’re not alone – and there’s an easy next step.

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This is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. All savings accounts are powered by ClearBank. You need to be 18+ and be a tax-resident of the UK to hold a Chip Account. All accounts available in the Chip app only. 
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1. “I haven’t used any of my ISA allowance”
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Your ISA allowance resets in April and if it's been quietly sitting there unused, January is a good time to revisit it.

ISAs let your money grow tax-free¹, which makes it one of the most valuable tools for long-term saving – yet many people don’t take advantage of them.

Your ISA allowance doesn’t roll over either, so it’s important to use it before you lose it after 5 April.

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¹Chip does not provide tax advice. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.

How Chip can help:
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The Chip Cash ISA gives you a tax-efficient place to hold your savings, while still keeping access when you need it.

You can deposit up to £20,000 per tax year, earn interest tax-free, and stay flexible if plans change. It’s a simple way to make sure more of your money stays yours as your wealth grows.
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Chip does not provide tax advice. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future. ISA limits apply and are changing from April 2027. Chip Cash ISA is provided by ClearBank Limited.

2. “My money is just sitting in my current account”
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This is one that many of us are guilty of. In fact, it’s estimated that £526 billion is currently sitting idle in current accounts.

We get it, our salary is paid in, and it can be easy to just leave it there. But If your spare cash sits in your current account earning 0%, it’s likely losing value to inflation when it could be earning interest.

Current accounts are great for day-to-day spending, but not so great for holding onto money you’re not actively using.

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How Chip can help:
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The Chip Instant Access account lets your money start earning interest straight away, with unlimited withdrawals that arrive in seconds, whenever you need it.

It’s ideal for cash you want to spend in the short-term; so you can use it to top your current account as you go, while you pocket that extra interest.

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‍3. “I’ve got something coming up this year I’m saving for”

A holiday. A wedding. A house move. For a big life moment, January is often when those plans start to feel real – and so does the need to save for them.

But it’s not just about saving. The hard part can be staying on track. This is where ‘unlimited access’ isn’t actually that helpful, and some guard rails can come in handy.

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How Chip can help:

The Easy Access Saver is designed for short-to-medium-term goals. With up to three penalty‑free withdrawals a year, it gives you structure without locking your money away; helping you stay focused on what you’re saving for.

It’s a gentle nudge towards consistency, and a simple way to avoid temptation and impulse purchases.

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Making it easy to get started:

Whichever situation you’re in, getting your money organised doesn’t need to be complicated. With all Chip savings accounts, you can:

Deposit in just a few taps using seamless Open Banking technology.

Move money instantly between accounts to suit your needs.

Set up automatic recurring deposits, so saving happens before you even think about it.

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Less effort, less account admin, just more progress towards your goals. Use Chip to give your money a setup that works for the year ahead, so you can focus on your other resolutions this year.

Let’s get going.

Stephen. 

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