Dear Miss Lolly, I think you are going to find me to be the strangest person who has ever contacted you! I am obsessed with saving and can’t relax unless I am working out ways to cut my expenditure. I have diaries of my spending that go back decades! My (very patient) friend has told me I need to get a grip and has convinced me that perhaps if I work out how to make my money work harder for me then perhaps I can relax more and commit to finally going on the holiday my friend and I promised ourselves when we were 18 (I am not 51!!). Rosslyn, Devon.

Dear Rosslyn,

You are right that this is the opposite of what most people say to me. However there might be two things to overcome. The emotional side of things I am not able to help with – perhaps you should speak to your doctor? The financial side of things I can help you with. If you have been frugal for over 30 years it is likely that you are in a better situation that most. Things you can do by yourself:

• Make sure you are using your ISA allowance each year
• That you are shopping around for the best rates
• If you have a pension, make sure you are in a good performing fund that suits you

Perhaps you are best to arrange a free consultation with an independent financial adviser who will be able to get things in to perspective for you. Here are some tips to help you decide who to choose:

– look at https://www.unbiased.co.uk/find-an-adviser

– don’t just see one. Meet a few, you are hopefully going to have to meet this person at least annually so you need to make sure they get you and you like them

– make sure they are independent

– understand their charges

– find out about their qualifications and experience https://www.unbiased.co.uk/ifa-qualifications