Help to budget and save

Creating and managing a budget

A budget can help you take control of your income, and decide how and when to spend your money.

A budget should list your:

  • income - the money you receive
  • outgoings - what you have to spend on such as rent, bills and food

You should organise your outgoings by priority.

There will be some that you have to pay such as rent, mortgage and Council Tax. There will be others which are lower priority, as you do not need them all the time.

Where to get support creating a budget

Use MoneyHelper’s free online budget planner to help get you started.

Step Change offer free support and practical tips to help manage your money. Find out more on Step Change's Making a Budget web page.

Help with debt

Being in financial debt is often worrying and stressful.

If you are in debt then there is free and confidential advice available.

Debt advice if you’re council tenant or leaseholder

If you are a Council tenant or leaseholder you might be eligible to get debt advice from the council.

Visit our dedicated debt advice pages to learn more about the support we offer and to request debt advice.

Other debt support available

If you are worried about debt and don’t know where to start you can use MoneyHelpers free debt advice locator tool to help you find debt advice services near you.

Saving your money

Saving money, especially on a low income, is not always easy, but it can help:

  • ease financial stress
  • by giving flexibility if you get an unexpected bill

Help to save

If you receive Working Tax Credit or Universal Credit you may be eligible for the Help to Save scheme. If you are eligible you will get a bonus 50p for every £1 you save over the course of 4 years.

Find out more about Help to Save on the GOV.UK website.

Sharia-compliant savings

Sharia-compliant savings accounts work like standard current accounts but they do not:

  • give you a return on your money
  • offer overdraft facilities

Find out more on Money Helper's Sharia-compliant savings web page.

Guides and tools to help you save

For more information about how to start saving, visit MoneyHelper's How to save webpage.

Other ways to make the most of your money

We have information on help:

Page last updated: 9 April 2024

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