SO, WITH 2015 at an end, is there anything you wish you’d done differently with your finances this past year?

New research suggests that many of us wish we’d managed our money a little better.

Nearly one in three (32 per cent) of us wishes we’d saved more in 2015, according to a study for Standard Life.

Its survey of more than 2,000 people also found that 13 per cent feel they spent too much on eating out and 18 per cent didn’t budget enough.

Nearly one in five (18 per cent) regretted not saving any money at all this year, while other financial regrets included buying too many clothes (cited by 12 per cent of people) and ordering too many takeaways, which 11 per cent admitted to.

If you’ve still got some regrets about your financial habits, now’s the time to bring your finances back into shape.

Here are some ways to gain the right kind of pounds in 2016, according to Standard Life’s finance expert Julie Hutchison:

  • Cut back on your caffeine Your daily morning coffee may give you a much-needed boost, but cutting it out could provide an ever bigger boost to your finances. Ditching a daily latte could save more than £700 a year for some people.
  •  Ditch the weekly takeaway Look for alternatives in the supermarket. Many retailers also offer healthier, lower calorie options, meaning they’re a bonus to your waistline as well as your bank balance.
  •  Stub out the cigarettes One of the most harmful habits to your health will also make a damaging dent to your bank balance, costing thousands of pounds a year for some people.
  •  Make healthy homemade lunches During a busy working week, convenience is often king when it comes to grabbing lunch. However, spending a quick 10 minutes preparing a packed lunch could save you big money through the year. A lunch that will cost you £2 to prepare at home will often cost you £7 in some larger quick service lunch chains, especially once you’ve added a few standard extras, such as a drink or bag of crisps. Planning your meals will also mean you’re less likely to buy any impulse calorific treats.
  •  Don’t be lured by expensive gym memberships if there’s a strong chance you’ll lose interest Check out cancellation terms in advance and see if a cheap trial membership is available first. There are also a host of apps and websites available offering free fitness programmes and advice to get you motivated.
  • Cut travel expenses The daily grind of commuting is something few enjoy, so why not get your day off to a more active start by walking or cycling to work where possible? Many companies offer cycle-to-work schemes, saving you a fortune on petrol costs and train fares.
  •  Give up the junk food We’re all partial to the occasional treat, but cutting back on junk food binges could save you big money over the course of the year. Forgoing your daily chocolate fix can save you more than £200 a year.
  •  Cut back on the booze If you’re partial to a relaxing glass of wine or a beer after work, it’s worth bearing in mind the long-term effect on your bank balance as well as your health. Three large glasses of wine or four pints of beer a week can add up to a total cost of around £636 a year, according to an alcohol calculator on Cancer Research UK’s website.