Many of the demands on our money come from home and living costs. Mortgages, rent, energy, food, fuel, insurance, and council tax are just a few of these. And then there’s those unexpected costs like a broken washing machine! With so much pressure on household budgets, for lots of people it can be difficult to keep track of things which can lead to problems.
Managing your money through careful budgeting is the key to more stable finances. Setting out a budget will help you to understand more about what you’ve got coming in, what you’re spending, where you could make savings, and what’s left.
Making a budget plan might feel daunting but it’s quite straightforward with the right guidance and information. You’ll be happy when you’ve done it, because you’ll feel much more in control. Get started today with these free StepChange budgeting tools.
Whether you own or rent your home, getting into arrears with your payments can be a huge worry. If this happens, the important thing to remember is that there is lots of support out there to help you manage the situation.
Utility bills, council tax, insurance, childcare, transport and lots of other day-to-day living expenses can be really difficult to manage – especially if you’re on a fixed income. If you’re behind on regular payments or falling into debt, BudgetSmart has hundreds of easy actions you can take to improve your monthly budget and bring you back onto the path to clearing your debts.
Life is full of surprises, good and bad – but both can bring you financial headaches. Having to deal with legal matters, bereavement, unemployment, redundancy, divorce and other life changes can be sudden and hard to manage. But you can make yourself more prepared to meet these challenges head on with the right advice.
