Addressing household financial pressure

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Addressing household financial pressure

If you are feeling the pressure of rising costs on your household expenditure - you're not alone - advice is available. The whole country is feeling the effects of a global credit crunch - which is impacting on every area of life. We have included money saving tips on this page that we hope you will find useful.

However, if your problems are more serious, free independent advice is available. The message is don't delay seek help.

The council's Advice Shop can help with income maximisation, debt counselling, and advice on employment, housing and fuel poverty. Information is also available on household energy saving.

The Debt Support team, in partnership with the Advice Shop, is able to assist people with financial problems by providing independent debt, benefit, energy and money advice. The team will look at individual circumstances to:

Ensure you are claiming the correct benefits
Help you to renegotiate debt payments before you get into serious difficulties
Provide you with assistance with utility debts to negotiate repayment
Advise you on money saving tips to help you to reduce consumption and cut costs
Advise you on insulation and central heating grants

Councillor Isabel Hutton, Executive councillor for Social Policy, said: "During the current climate of economic uncertainty, it is easy to find yourself confused and in need of some expert advice.

"It's vitally important that anyone who is struggling or is concerned about debt repayments contacts our team at an early stage. Often people tend to leave it to the last minute or only see the Council as a social landlord, but we provide important free advice to anyone in West Lothian who, for example, may have rent, council tax or mortgage debts.

"Many people are now under pressure with increased fuel and grocery bills and face difficulties making ends meet. I would urge anyone with debt worries to make an appointment with our Debt Support team so that they can help plan a solution."

Advice can either be given by personal interview or telephone by calling free to 0800 834672.

Budgeting: work out a realistic personal budget so you know where your money is going and how much you can afford to pay. If you don't have enough to pay off your debts you need to look at your expenses to see where you can make savings. You may also be entitled to money that you aren?t claiming.

Money saving tips:

Smoking a packet of cigarettes a day costs as much as £1,500 a year - give up and you will feel healthier too.
You could save money if you switch your energy supplier - but shop around.
Avoid leaving appliances on standby as they continue to use energy.
Your oven clock uses up a huge amount of energy - a battery powered wall clock uses much less power.
An oven, hotplates and iron can be turned off a few minutes before you need to stop using them as take time to cool down.
Boil the quantity of water you need as this will take less time and energy.
Your oven will heat up quicker if you cook a few meals at the same time.
Some stronger tea bags can be used to make two cups.
Pump up your tyres, as soft tyres waste fuel and wear out quicker.
To reduce fuel consumption, remove your roof rack or carriers.
Driving in the highest gear possible without labouring the engine is a fuel-efficient way of driving.
Research shows that you can spend 20% more if you are hungry when food shopping.
Look at the 'reduced to clear' and buy one get one free items - if you can use them or freeze them for the future. Don't buy if you will throw them out.
Put on a jumper and turn the thermostat down by one degree C can cut more than 10% from the average heating bill.
Cut the cost of travelling to work by carsharing - it will also help the environment.
Shop around - for car, house and holiday insurance.