Budgeting and Debt Advice
Budgeting for your family can be really hard, there can be lots of demands on your finances and sometimes you can struggle to make it all add up. On this page you will hopefully find some useful tips to help keep you and your family in the black.
Most banks can support you with budgeting and any money concerns you might have, so it is worth contacting them for further support.
Money Helper have a free budget calculator to help you to know exactly where your money is being spent, and how much you’ve got coming in. Knowing how to manage a budget – keep track of where every pound is being spent – is a great first step to starting your savings, getting out of debt or preparing for retirement. If you’re planning a baby they have also put together a list of thing you might need and have created the baby costs calculator to help you keep track of how much it will all cost. They also have a bill prioritiser which will help you put bills and payments in the right order, especially if you are struggling to pay.
Citizens Advice Bedford can also support you with issues around money and budgeting. They have a dedicated page of information to support you if you need debt advice. They have a local helplines:
- Local helpline open Monday to Thursday 9.45ahttp://01234%20346543/m – 1pm – 01234 867944
- Food and fuel crisis line open Monday to Thursday 9.45am – 1pm – 01234 346543
- National helpline 0pen Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm – 0800 1448 444
Benefits: There are no guarantees you’ll get anything, but it’s worth spending the time seeing if you’re eligible for benefits, especially if you have children. Even if you only qualify for a small amount, it can open the door to other support such as and reduced utility tariffs. Use money savng expert’s 10-minute benefit checker.