From writing your own will to selling a house, thanks to the internet you can sort out your finances – and save money in the process – all from the comfort of your home.

For more information on how to save money on your personal finances, read our top tips to DIY personal finance - includes writing your own will, selling a house without an estate agent, completing your own tax return, building an HIP, online share dealing and online banking.

If you’re keen to save money on your every day personal finances, read on for some of the easiest ways to save money.

Top 5 Ways to Save Money- Do It Yourself: Write Your Own Will

Most would agree that having a Will is very important and the most popular way to write your Will is to hire a solicitor. However, a solicitor can cost well into the hundreds and a letter writer can cost between £30- £75.

Write Your Own Will: Save Money and Write Your Own Will

A study by The Co-operative Legal Services (CLS) even claims that solicitor charges have resulted in an alarming 34 million UK adults going without a will. However don’t let the fear of will charges put your off writing this important document. Instead do it yourself and save some vital cash.

Write Your Own Will: How to Write Your Own Will

Before you write a will there are a few questions and calculations that you will have to figure out. These include how much money you have, who you would like to benefit from your will, if you have children under 18 who will look after them and after you have passed away who you would like to carry out your will wishes.

Write Your Own Will: Update Your Will

It is also important to remember your will needs to be kept up to date preferably every 5 years and or after significant changes, such as a divorce, remarriage, birth of children or house move.

Write Your Own Will: Why Do I Need A Will

It is sadly all too easy for us to die at any time of life. The well publicised death and subsequent legal wrangling following the death of singer Barry White in 2003, who died without having a will, only goes to show the importance of having a will.

Even if you only have a modest estate - with your savings, home and car - it pays to write a will and it could save your loved ones considerable heartache in the future. Read more: Estate Planning: Writing a Will

Write Your Own Will: Write Your Own Will Online

For a guide to writing your will online, visit:

www.tenminutewill.co.uk
www.epoq-wills.co.uk

Top 5 Ways to Save Money- Do It Yourself: Sell a House without an Estate Agent

Choosing to sell your house without an estate agent can save you a ton of money. Those with experience will know estate agents can be expensive and customers are often left with the feeling that they do very little for their sale commission.

Sell a House without an Estate Agent: How to Sell a House without an Estate Agent

Selling your house without an estate agent is easier than you may think. Experts in the field say it’s all about exposure. This means getting your property in your local newspapers and on a range of websites.

The internet in particular is a handy tool for those keen to sell their house without an estate agent. Many property portals charge absolutely nothing for you to post your property or charge a one off fee - which would still be cheaper than paying an estate agent.

Sell a House without an Estate Agent: Tips to Sell a House without an Estate Agent

When it comes to showing people your home its worth imitating the traditional approach of an estate agent. According to research by Channel 4 this would mean ensuring your have accurate details of your house to hand, for example room dimensions, allowing visitors to enter rooms before you do (apparently this make the room feel less crowded) and keeping to hand the service history of your boiler and average bill costs.

Most importantly keep your cool- advice also supported by the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA). This is because an over enthusiastic seller is often a cause for concern for buyers. According to the NAEA buyers will immediately think you’re hiding something about the house or are just a little bit strange. Such behaviour may also encourage potential buyers to offer a significantly lower figure than the asking price.

Sell a House without an Estate Agent: Calculate Your Asking Price

On the topic of asking prices to ensure you give an accurate selling price you may want to research the cost of other properties in your area, by scanning properties up for grabs on the net and in the paper. Even though the whole idea is not to pay for the services of an estate agent, most estate agents will evaluate your house without the obligation to continue selling your home through them.

Top 5 Ways to Save Money- Do It Yourself: Do Your Own Tax Return

If you are one of the millions of people who have to fill in a tax return this year it’s worth your while to complete the form yourself, otherwise you’ll have to pay an accountant or possibly even HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to calculate it for you.

Do Your Own Tax Return: What is a Tax Return

A tax return is requested by HMCR from those who are self employed, receive an income through rented property; are higher rate tax payers; company directors or have not had tax deducted from other income which is received gross, such as interest on National Savings investment accounts.

Do Your Own Tax Return: How To Do Your Own Tax Return

On your tax form you must give details of your income and expenses in order for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to calculate the amount of tax that you are due to pay.

Details on the form must be accurate and any errors may lead to delays in the process of your tax return.

In the view of the HMRC you should always keep records of your income and expenses, these will be very important when it comes to completing the form. Figures given must be accurate and if you’re unsure of a particular figure, you must give an estimate and tell HMRC when you can give the correct figure.

Do Your Own Tax Return: Tips To Do Your Own Tax Return

While many are daunted by tax return forms, it’s important to remember there are a large number of guidelines to help you, including the free guide book which comes free with the tax form and your local citizen’s advice bureau. Visit:

You can also read our handy tips to completing your tax reform by visiting: Financial Advice: Tax Return Tips

If you do get into difficulty, you can also ring the HM Revenue and Customs Helpline on 0845 9000 444, or visit the website at www.hmrc.gov.uk

Top 5 Ways to Save Money- Do It Yourself: Build Your Own HIP

Build Your Own HIP: What are Home Information Packs (HIP)?

Home Information Packs, otherwise known as a HIP, are designed to offer potential buyers upfront information on a property. The compulsory HIP scheme was introduced to combat the criticism that buyers were not always told the true condition on a home.

Many turn to an estate agent to create a HIP pack but this can cost anything from £350 to £700, putting a hefty dent in your wallet. Read more: HIPs Become Reality for All

However, hiring an estate agent, even if you’re using an estate agent to find a property, is not necessary. If you’re willing to put in the ground work you might as well create your own HIP pack.

Build Your Own HIP: What Should I Include in a Home Information Pack?

All Hips’ must contain an index of the pack's contents, plus the following compulsory documents:

Energy Performance Certificate: This certificate grades the energy efficiency you’re your home.

A sale statement: A document which summarises the terms of sale.

Evidence of title: If your home is registered you must provide the official copies of your evidence of title, including the register and title plan. These documents can be obtained from the appropriate Land Registry office.

If your home isn't registered contact the Land Registry office.

A Local search: This can be requested from the Local Land Charges department of the Local Authority that your property is in, contacting the National Land Information Service (NLIS) or a personal search company. Details of these companies should appear in your local business listings.

A drainage and water search: This essential HIP document can be requested from your water supplier or the National Land Information Service.

On Leasehold properties you will also be required to provide a copy of the lease.

A HIP can also consist of a number of additional documents; however these are not compulsory and include a Home Condition Report for example.

For and in depth guide to compiling your very own HIP go to: www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk

Top 5 Ways to Save Money- Do It Yourself: Share Dealing

A huge number of share-traders are choosing to invest and manage their accounts online.

Share Dealing Online: The Benefits of Online Share Dealing

Online share dealing saves you paying a stocker broker and gives you full control of your accounts without interference. According to a survey by Saga Share Direct, online share traders can also receive better returns on investments, compared to those who go through a stock broker.

Share Dealing Online: More Share Traders Deal Online

The pace and profits of share dealing can now be enjoyed at the click of a mouse - just remember that the virtual trading floor deals in real – your - money.

Share Dealing Online: Online Share Dealing Tips

You will however have to operate through an online share dealing service and a small fee is often charged with prices varying between services. For help on choosing the ideal and best value for money online share dealing price and for more information on online share dealing, go to: What to Look For in a Share Dealing Service

The natural drawback of 'DIY' execution-only transactions is the absence of professional advice and support in making share decisions. However if you are keen to trade online, read our top tips to online share dealing by visiting: A Guide to Online Share Dealing

Top 5 Ways to Save Money- Do It Yourself: Online Banking

Online banking is essential for the 21st century and there are huge benefits to getting online to manage your money.

Online Banking: Save Money and Bank Online

To do this you can either use online services provided by your current bank, all of which are free of charge, or you may like to consider opening an account with an online bank- whose rates are normally better than your high street banker.

Online Banking: Banking Services Available Online

Some of the services available online include;

Check your balances and view statements online
Move money between accounts
Make payments to others
Set up regular payments/ direct debits and
Order chequebooks and statements

Online Banking: Save Money, Time and Effort with Internet Banking

The facilities listed are all free for online customers to use and will reduce the money and time you spend on phone calls, posting and visits to your bank.

Plus online banking is safe, easy to use and lets you access your money anytime, anywhere.

Online Banking: What is PC Banking?

Additionally if you are responsible for a larger number of transactions on behalf of a business, for example paying employees or suppliers, you could benefit from PC Banking. PC banking allows you to carry out a large number of transactions more conveniently and comes with added benefits such as extra PC storage for past transactions. The difference between regular online banking and PC banking is that PC banking customers are given a bank management software to download and use in accordance with online banking facilities.