Your money matters
Whether you are opening your first bank account, buying a house, having a family, changing jobs, retiring, or going through any difficult changes in your life, you’ll need to keep an eye on your finances and balance your budget. Proactively managing your money will help you to retain control of your finances, avoid overspending and will hopefully prevent you losing sleep about debt or money, or worrying about your financial situation.
MoneySavingExpert is a consumer website dedicated to cutting bills and fighting the consumer’s corner with journalistic research, cutting-edge tools and a community focused on finding deals, saving cash and campaigning for financial justice. The Money Advice Service is a free and impartial source of advice about money and finances, and is backed by the UK government.
Your money matters in so many ways….
If you are short of money, you can:
Use the Community cupboard for food
Get a voucher to use at the St Andrew’s food bank
Apply to Severn Trent hardship fund 0121 355 7766 on-line application needed
Apply to Wychavon exceptional hardship fund
Get a benefit assessment to see if there is anything more for you:
Fightback4Justice have an excellent online benefits calculator
Rooftop Housing 01386 420800 will help with benefits and debt. Ring to make an appointment
Ask about your local Citizen’s Advice or Ring 0800 144 8848 for information about your needs.
Go on Gov.uk Benefit Calculator to work out if you can claim anything else.
Help if you have a disability
Between the age of 16 and retirement age, if you have a disability, you could claim PIP 0800 917 2222. Evidence is needed.
If you are over retirement age you can claim Attendance Allowance 0800 7310122. This is not means tested and is for when you are less able and need help
If you have a disabled child, you can claim DLA under 16. 0800 121 4600. You will need evidence from school, Doctors, specialist etc.
You can go to the DWP benefits website and they will explain how to claim and if you are eligible or ask us for help.
Borrowing Money
Can you afford that loan? Have a look at Money Saving Expert for the latest best loan rates, or the Money Advice Service for best advice
Writing a Will
A will lets you decide what happens to your money, property and possessions after your death.
It doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive and you can do it yourself if matters are straight forward.
Here’s a useful guide It explains what steps you need to take in order for your will to be vaild, and suggests whe n you may need professional help if matters become too complicated.
Many people worry about inheritance tax but most do not pay it. If you think you might have to consider this then read these govt pages on inheritance tax before considering your will.
Household Bills
There’s lots of advice and guidance here to help you get the best deals with your utilities and household bills
Heat for Health: 07458 306298
Local Energy Advice Partnership: 0800 0607 567 or support@applyforleap.org.uk
Warmer Worcestershire: 0800 988 2881
Consumer issues: how to complain
Need to complain about poor service? Feels as though you’ve been ripped off? Get some help here on how to complain and reclaim.
Banks and Savings
The banking sector is hard to understand at the best of times. You’ll find helpful guides here whether you’re opening an account for day to day expenses, or trying to save a bit.
Mortgages and Homes
Shelter is a basic human right. Whether you’re renting, buying, or selling your home you’ll need some impartial help
Try either here or here for advice on whats’s right for you, and to get advice on everything from your lease to your mortgage.
Travel & Motoring
Trips at home and abroad are great to look forward to, and always so much more enjoyable if you’ve done a little planning ahead. Don’t forget to check Money Saving Expert before you go, or the Money Advice Service.
UK travel tips from running a car to travelling by public transport are also available.
Insurance
Insurance is about protecting you from nasty surprises that can derail your attempts to stick to a budget. In some areas insurance is also compulsory, such as car insurance.
Make sure you get the best value for money when you insure you car, home, pet, health, or gadgets.
Income and Budgets
Balancing your budget, making ends meet, keeping within you means: you need to adjust your spending to match your income, and keep adjusting it as you go through life and its many changes. Fortunately there is a lot of advice from experts on how to do this.
Pensions
You are never too young to start planning ahead, and the earlier you start the more comfortable your later life could be. But where do you start, and who do you trust to give impartial advice?
We suggest the Money and Pensions Service, the Money Advice Service, or Money Saving Expert as sources of good independent advice and guidance.
Students
Save the Student website provides free and impartial advice for students on how to make your money go further. You can also find help from the confidential Money Advice Service which also has a section for students and graduates on money management and a budget planner as well as a specific section for University budgets.
Worried about Scams
Money Saving Expert always has up to date advice, not only on how to spot and avoid Scams, but what to do if you think that you’ve been a victim