Financial solutions company Think Money has released a new guide for people who want to make more of their money in 2012.

With 2011 a difficult year for many people in terms of finances, many people’s New Year’s resolutions will be focused on getting their financial affairs in order. Think Money offers a range of tips for doing this, but the main message seems to be: budget carefully – and stay on top of your debts.

The guide advises people to start by reviewing their finances – make sure they’re earning more than their spending (and if they’re not, cut back – or if that’s not possible, get expert help). Then it asks people to consider ways of improving their available income: by earning more where possible, or by spending less.

Of course, for people with multiple debts, this can be easier said than done. The guide suggests that some people with a number of debts could make their finances easier to manage by paying them off with a debt consolidation loan – which could also help them to reduce their monthly payments (although the overall interest paid could increase). However, borrowing more money isn’t suitable for people with financial problems.