Plan and Budget

 

Reach out

You can call or visit your local Advice Service to speak to someone. Have your paperwork with you, for example bills, pay slips, letters chasing payments and bank statements. An adviser can look at your paperwork and help you to put a plan in place. 

Visit our Advice Service page for information on services across Lincolnshire.

 

Budgeting Advance

You may be eligible for a loan through your Universal Credit to help cover specific expenses; this is known as a "budgeting advance." https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-advances

 

Use Budgeting Tools

In the section below, we have created a handy list of free budgeting tools.

 

Budgeting is an effective first step toward managing your finances. It can reveal unnecessary subscriptions or areas where you may be overspending without noticing. If, after creating your budget, you're still in deficit due to debts, consider reaching out to Step Change or National Debtline for assistance from their expert advisors.

 

Free tools for everyone

 

Money Helper Budgeting Tool https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/budgeting/budget-planner?source=mashttps://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/budgeting/budget-planner?source=mas

 

Citizens Advice

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/budgeting1/work-out-your-budget/

 

Step Change have a guide on how to create your own budget:

https://www.stepchange.org/debt-info/your-financial-situation/making-a-budget.aspx

 

Money Saving Expert have a downloadable Excel budget planner that you can fill in online or print.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/budget-planning/#spreadsheet

 

You may be eligible for a budgeting loan if you have been in receipt of certain benefits for 6 months. You will pay back what you have borrowed. Find out more at Universal Credit advances - GOV.UK

We would advise against payday loans and high interest credit agreements. Instead, speak to an Advice Service if you are struggling, where you can be directed to appropriate assistance for your circumstances.

 

Money Helper Bill Prioritiser
Money Helper also offers a bill prioritiser tool that allows you to select the bills you need to pay. It then provides a personalised list, showing you the order in which to tackle them.

Bill prioritiser: which debts or bills are most important? | MoneyHelper

 

Many people avoid confronting debt issues, often dreading the sight of final demand letters. However, ignoring debt will only cause it to grow.

Visit our Debt Advice section if you have any worries or concerns about debt.