Save for a rainy day, holidays or Christmas
It’s important to save for unexpected costs such as your washing machine or cooker breaking and to save for more expensive times of the year such as Christmas or holidays. A great way to save is through a Credit Union. To find your nearest Credit Union click here. Once you start saving you can also get low cost loans from your Credit Union
Planning to retire or are over 50
Make sure you know your financial situation before you retire. If you are over 50, have a personal or workplace pension contact Pensionwise and book in for a free specialist pension guidance appointment here
Beginners guide to managing your money better
Learn more about how to set up a budget, getting your budget back on track, paying off loans and credit cards, setting a savings goal and what to do if you are overwhelmed with your debts by visiting the money helper website
Help is available to help you save if you receive Working Tax Credit or Universal Credit
If you’re on a low income and get Universal Credit or Working Tax Credits, you might be able to get help from the government with your savings.Find out more about Help to Save here
If you’re over 55 and have a personal pension
You might be able to take some money from your pension savings to help pay for essential costs, or to pay off your debts.
Taking money from your pension will mean you’ve less income when you retire. If you’re getting benefits it could affect your claim.
You should get financial advice before taking any money from your pension savings – you’ll have to pay. Check how to find a financial adviser – they can tell you which option is best for you.
You can also get free guidance on your pension options from Pension Wise. They’ll explain the different options so you can decide which is best for you.
Beginners guide to managing your money better – start piggybanking!
Managing your money using savings pots, jam jars or piggybanking. It can be helpful to separate your money and put into separate pots for different expenses. Find out more here.
Improve your finances and your mental health!
This useful toolkit is a resource to help you understand, manage and improve your mental and financial health. Access the toolkit here.