By Enzo Mora, founder and CEO at The Mortgage Brain. 

It's that time of year when we start to think about New Year Resolutions and maybe what big life decisions we are going to make in 2022. While the ongoing pandemic is still undoubtably going to affect our lives, most of us will not stand still especially when it comes to our finances.

I was interested to read about a new charity that has been set up by the Financial Times newspaper, the Financial Literacy Inclusive Campaign (FTFLIC) that wants to help young people, women and marginalised communities, who have been identified as most in need of advice, navigate the financial world. One in three Britons is financially illiterate and the charity aims to fill in the learning gaps with advice on managing money and debt and will campaign and lobby for financial literacy and the best service from financial services providers.

The Mortgage Brain is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority so you can rest assured that the advice we give is honest and fair and we make sure all our clients are kept up to date with the latest mortgage developments and offers. For instance, despite the recent Bank of England base-rate rise to 0.25%, we can still offer excellent deals.

First-time buyers have lots of great options for mortgages, even if they have saved a lower deposit, including the recently launched Deposit Unlock scheme for buying a new build home or Generation Home where you can put a helping hand from family or friends towards a deposit or an income booster. Our advisers are on hand to explain the details.

If 2022 is the year you've earmarked to hop on the ladder or make that long hoped-for move, getting a mortgage in principle is key to be first in the queue and speed up the process. Rightmove has just recorded the lowest number of properties for sale so competition will be high. Make your new year resolutions to understand your finances and get the best advice before making those very important decisions, that way your future will be as secure as possible.