Financial Advice

It only takes a small change in your circumstances to cause difficulties to arise in your budgeting and can make a major impact in your life.  We have compiled the following information and good practice to assist and provide answers in dealing with what can be a daunting and stressful experience.  You can also contact our Customer Services on 0845 113 3000 and ask for our ‘B THRIFTY’ pack to be sent out to you.

Don't ignore the problem! - it won't go away and invariably the longer you leave it, the worse it will get.

Contact those who you owe money to - explain you are experiencing difficulties immediately.

Don't borrow money to pay off your debts - seek advice, consider it carefully, remember you will still have to repay the loan.

Work out a personal budget - remember to include all your incomings and outgoings, no matter how small, use weekly or monthly figures but don't mix the two.
The Financial Services Authority provide an online budget calculator.
A downloadable budget planner is available from the National Debtline.

Work out a reasonable offer to make to creditors, remember priority debts such as housing, gas and electricity come first over non priority debts such as credit cards and catalogues.  Make a realistic offer and do not offer more than you can afford.

Get advice - make sure you are claiming everything you are entitled to, are payments covered by insurance schemes?  The following websites offer help and advice:

Citizens Advice Bureau, offers advice about money, employment, housing, and your rights. You can also make an appointment to see them at our mhs Express office in Chatham.  Appointment times can be booked in one hour slots, once a fortnight on a Tuesday from 9am until 12.30pm.

The National Debtline offers free, confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems.  Download information packs to deal with debt, a budget planner, sample letters and fact sheets. 

The Financial Services Authority, the UK's financial watchdog provides useful information and online tools to check your finances, debts, and calculate a personal budget.

The Department of Work and Pensions provides information about benefits.