Hi happy New Year to you all, I hope you are all well, and looking forward to all that the New Year has for us.
I have been thinking about the over spending we tend to do before Christmas, and thought it maybe a good time now, to spend some time looking at budgeting, and how that all works.
You may or may not have over spent or have a debt problem, but it would be good to learn how to do a basic household budget for yourself or your household. Here at BCLC we have trained budget coaches who can teach you how a simple household budget can work for you. There are a number of tips we can share with you and the money secret.
If you would like to do the Budget training course on a one to one basis or a group course then ring BCLC and ask for an appointment to see me for a chat to see what best suits you. (01656 745655)
If you think you are in debt and can deal with it yourself, but don’t know where to start, then here is where to start.
q Get all Bills, Statements, demand letters etc together
q Make a list from these of the money you owe
q Write down all income/wages, benefits, etc.
q Write down everything you spend your money on weekly/monthly like food, rent/mortgage, council tax, gas/electric, travel/car, clothes etc
q Write letters to creditors’ if needed, explaining your situation, ask them to freeze interest and offer them new payment figure based on what you can now afford
q See where you can make cut backs
If you can do this then that is great get too it, if you find it to daunting to even think about it, then I can helpyou make a start on it and advise you the way forward with it.
If you know you have a debt problem and you are not able to deal with it, then get help as quickly as you can there are a number of organizations that can help you, sessions are confidential and free.
q Consumer Credit Counseling Service free number 08000 027 4995 website cccs.co.uk
q Citizens Advice Bureau Bridgend 654951 Maesteg 734662 website adviceguide.org.uk
q National Debtline free number 0808 808 4000 website nationaldebtline.co.uk
q Christians Against Poverty (CAP) 01274 760720 website capuk.org ( you dont need to be a “Christian” to receive their help ))
I can also recommend a book that can help you – “Sixty Minute Debt Buster” by Katie Clark and Rob Parsons – ( Lion-Hudson ) at £6.99
Pam Gladdish
BCLC
Cefn Road
Cefn Cribwr
CF32 0AA
01656 745655