Managing money and debt

Managing money can be difficult. Most people have some form of debt but if you are having trouble with repayments you should get help with this as soon as possible.

Advice is available about how to set a budget, cut bills and pay off debts. Tools are also available online to help you budget, prioritise your debts and set savings goals.

The Beginners Guide to Managing Money is a resource from the Money Advice Service.

The Citizens Advice website also has information about budgeting and a financial health check.

The Lincolnshire Credit Union is a not-for-profit business and can help you take control of your money. Anyone living, working or studying in Lincolnshire can join the credit union, as well as employees or tenants of various housing associations.

The Lincolnshire Credit Union is based at City Hall, Beaumont Fee, Lincoln, LN1 1DD. It is open weekdays from 9.30am (10am on Wed) until 2pm. There are also community access points in Boston, Alford, Lincoln Birchwood, Skegness and Deeping St James.

http://www.lincscreditunion.org.uk./

Tel - 01522 873550

If you’re struggling with debt, it can be hard to know where to turn. But with lots of free advice services available across the UK, you can find help in a way that’s best for you.

The Citizens Advice webpage has information about debt and solutions to debt problems.

Free debt advice is available online and via telephone from a number of providers.

StepChange Debt Charity

www.stepchange.org

0800 138 1111

Advice, budget support and solutions to help you manage your debts.

Citizens Advice Web Chat

www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Free, independent, confidential and impartial debt advice through their web chat service

National Debtline

www.mymoneysteps.org

0808 808 4000

National Debtline offers free debt advice online through its My Money Steps tool and its web guides, fact sheets and sample letters.

Debt Advice Foundation

www.debtadvicefoundation.org

0800 622 6151

Debt Advice Foundation is a national debt advice and education charity offering free, confidential support and advice to anyone worried about debt.

PayPlan

www.payplan.com

0800 2802816

PayPlan’s online services include free, confidential online chat with debt help experts, a debt help request form, and a wealth of online resources.

To find face to face advice, a search facility is available via the Money Advice Service website on the debt advice locator webpage.

Mental health and debt

If you are struggling with your mental health, just summoning the energy to even think about tackling debt can be too hard. Likewise, your mental health could well be adversely affected if you are struggling with debt.

The Money Saving Expert has launched a new booklet aimed at providing debt advice, help, support and info to those people struggling with debt and mental health and the people who care for them.

Written by Martin Lewis, Jenny Keefe and Marianne Curphey, the guide aims to make it easier for those struggling to understand debt and the steps they can take to tackle it.

It’s important to get independent financial advice so that you can make balanced and informed decisions about your money or assets.

Looking into care and support and how to pay for it can be difficult and confusing especially if your circumstances are difficult or complex. Independent financial advisers have specialist knowledge and will be able to assess your specific circumstances and give you necessary advice.

For further information and links to independent financial advice visit the Lincolnshire County Council webpage or try the following web pages: