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Money Advice Service (soon to be renamed Money and Pensions Service)
This is the UK government’s free, impartial money information and guidance service. There are lots of videos, clear explanations about financial products and ideas and handy online tools.
For reliable UK consumer advice, including best buy recommendations of specific products and lots of information about deals, discounts and generally getting thrifty Money Saving Expert is hard to beat.
There are also forums where you can get more advice and support from other money savers including an excellent Debt-Free Wannabe board.
If you’re stressed because you’re struggling to repay debts, contact a debt adviser at one of the following free, independent debt charities:
National Debtline gives guided self-help for people in England Wales and Scotland. The organisation produces lots of good resources like form letters and information sheets. If you would be comfortable negotiating with your creditors these are the people for you.
Find them at nationaldebtline.org
You can also phone them on 0808 808 4000.
National Debtline also run Business Debtline for self-employed people in England, Wales and Scotland.
You can find them at businessdebtline.org
Or call them on 0800 197 6026.
People in Northern Ireland can contact Advice NI for both telephone and face to face debt support.
They cover lots personal and business debt and may also be able to help with questions around tax, housing, benefits, residency and other topics.
The website is adviceni.net
You can call them on 0800 028 1881.
StepChange Debt Charity give advice online or over the phone and can negotiate with creditors on your behalf.
Find them at stepchange.org
You can also phone them on 0800 138 1111
You can search for face to face debt advice services near you on the Money Advice Service Debt Advice Locator Tool here.
Every year billions of pounds-worth of benefits go unclaimed because people don’t know what they are entitled to claim. For example, there is a misconception that benefits are only for people who are not working, but there are benefits that exist to support people in work too.
It’s a good idea to check whether there are any benefits you could claim at least once a year.
Turn2Us has a benefits calculator where you can check whether you are entitled to any help. The site also has lots of general information about benefits including how to apply. It also has a database of grants that can be paid to individuals, so if you, or someone you know, is really struggling it’s worth searching the database to see if there is a trust or foundation that might be able to give you a grant.
Mindset resources by Carol Dweck