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Money matters
Our new Money matters webpage gives you lots of information relating to money issues and even gives you some top tips that you could save you £££’s
- Find out more how to save money on your fuel bills and help to save the environment by making a few quick and easy changes in your home.
Difficulties paying your rent?
- What you should if you are unable to pay your rent and how we can help.
Good advice from people you can trust
Do you need free and independent money advice? South Tyneside Homes is supporting a government campaign to help boost the financial security of people who have money worries. The 'Now Lets Talk Money Campaign' has been launched to tackle financial exclusion by helping people on low incomes find out how they can access bank accounts, low cost loans and advice on how to manage their money better. The campaign is designed to increase the amount of advice and support available to financially excluded people in their own communities from those they trust.
'Now let’s talk money in South Tyneside' aims to raise awareness of the issues and by working in partnership with South Tyneside Council and with agencies such as Citizens Advice Bureau, Welfare Rights and Credit Union to provide advice and support so that tenants can live in their homes without the additional burden that money problems can cause.
>For more information visit Now Let's Talk Money website
Tips for dealing with debt
- Don’t ignore the problem – it won’t go away.
- Make the most of your income – check that you are claiming all the benefits and tax credits that you can. If you have lost your job or you are off work because you’re ill, check if any debts are covered by payment protection insurance.
- Tackle your priority debts first – for example, debts that would mean losing your home (like rent & mortgage arrears) or having your gas or electricity cut off.
- Work out your personal budget – show it to your creditors when you contact them. A form to help you do this is available for to download at the end of this list.
- Get in touch with all of your creditors straight away and explain your situation. Contact all of your creditors not just the ones which are shouting the loudest. If you arrange to pay some and not others you may get into difficulty again.
- Work out a reasonable offer for each creditor. Don’t worry if the offer seems small. Creditors prefer a regular, small amount rather than an offer you can’t meet every time.
- Don’t give up trying to agree an offer even if creditors are difficult. If the first person you speak to is unhelpful, ask to speak to someone more senior.
- Always keep copies of letters and papers you send or receive. Record dates and times of phone calls and the name of the person you speak to.
- Borrowing money to pay off your existing bills or debts is rarely the best option. Be cautious of all companies offering to turn all your loans into one.
- If you get taken to court make sure you reply to all letters immediately and give the court all the facts. Always go to court hearings and take your personal budget with you.
It’s never too early to start saving for Christmas 2008!
If you’re one of those people who want to put a bit away each week so that you’ll have enough to get what you need at Christmas there are quite a few options.
You might want to stop yourself getting at your money before Christmas. You might prefer vouchers to cash. And perhaps you want the money collected from your home? Joining a credit union or opening a savings account could be a great way to save money. For more information, visit the Financial Standards Authority's website.
Do you need independent advice on opening a bank account?
>More on bank accounts from the FSA website
