To help aspiring first-time buyers onto the property ladder, Persimmon Homes has linked up with Jasmine Birtles.

The financial expert and founder of moneymagpie.com, has put together advice for anyone who is, or would like to start, saving for a mortgage deposit.

Set your goal.

One of the best ways of saving regularly is to set a financial goal then work back from there. So, for example, if you want to save £5,000 over two years that means that you have to put away about £208 a month for the next two years.

Do a budget.

It sounds obvious but most people don't work out how much money they have to spend on bills so that they can know how much extra money they have to play with each month. Use an online calculator like my one at moneymagpie.com/budget and put in your monthly incomings together with your monthly essential expenditure.

Pay yourself first.

Once you know how much you could afford to save each month, set up a standing order to go out from your bank account on the next day to a special savings account you've set up for your deposit. In other words, pay yourself before you give money to shops, restaurants, clubs, tour operators and the like.

Make some extra cash.

Turbo-charge your savings by making a bit on the side where you can.

Save on bills.

Cut down your monthly spend by switching all your essential bills where you can. Go on a few comparison sites. You should be able to save around £1,000 over the year if you haven't switched for a year or more.

Build up your credit rating.

Even if you have a good deposit saved up, you still won't get a decent rate for your mortgage unless your credit rating is excellent. Make sure you are on the electoral roll, pay bills by direct debit so that you are never late, make sure you pay your credit card bill off every month before the interest rate kicks in and check no one else has used your identity to buy things and not pay for them.

For information about Persimmon Homes' starter homes or for details about the range of first-time buyer incentives available, please visit www.persimmonhomes.com/