Insure the more expensive vehicle in your name instead of your spouse as you are more likely to get better rates on the car. Many households have two cars and dad generally has the expensive 4×4 and mom the runner. Insurance companies recognise that women drivers are safer than men when it comes to probabilities of having and accident. Their lower risk leads to lower rates on the insurance policy. So insure the car with dad as the second driver. You’ll save on running costs too….

Separate accounts not joint – there is a serious estate problem having one account with signing powers only for the wife as a joint account in the will be frozen in the estate in the event of death. This could leave the surviving spouse in a position where there is no access to cash. Estates can take ages to wind up and the last thing you need is to battle with cash to get through the months it takes before the proceeds from the estate are released.

Have your own contingency fund for emergencies and unforeseen expenses. Not only your own banking account but also a savings account in your own name which you can access for emergencies. This amount should cover between 3 to 6 times your monthly expenses. The funds should reinvested in a money market account with your local bank so that you earn some interest. Ideally the account should be linked to your internet banking profile along side your own personal account. This will enable you to transfer the required funds at a click of your mouse giving you complete control of your funds.