Money
Worries
Nobody likes talking about money worries, but if you find things slipping out of control ā it can be helpful to speak to someone who can help you get back on a secure footing and support you to take back control.
Signs of money worry
Do any of these sound familiar?
"I'm using Klarna more and more"
"I'm always skint before payday"
"I keep moving money around"
"I've started avoiding my banking app"
"I thought this was manageable"
Have you noticed any of these recently?
You check your account less because it feels stressful
Buy Now Pay Later payments are appearing more often
You're relying on overtime to get through the month
You keep telling yourself "next month will be easier"
Minimum payments are becoming normal
Three Steps to Try Today
1
Review one month of bank transactions
Take a look over your regular expenses, remove your bills and commitments and take a tooth-comb to the incidental spending (coffees, takeaways etc) this is often when you can spot opportunities to reduce your outgoings.
2
Highlight subscriptions and repeat spending
Once you've identified all your regular subscriptions are there some you didn't realise you still had? Or some now you realise actually I don't use that much anymore? These are another great chance to reduce your regular spending.
3
List every debt payment together in one place
Give yourself a clear list of your financial commitments each month. Something you can always refer back to as life changes and maybe that subscription isn't needed anymore. You can spot this quickly without requiring another full statement review - quick access to your spending.
MoneyHelper's Budget Planner
This is a free online tool that helps people understand their income, spending, and overall financial situation so they can manage money more effectively.
Benefits Calculator
A free, tool where by answering questions about you income, housing, and circumstances, you can see potential benefit payments, extra financial help available, and guidance on how to apply. A short form you can find in your NHS CU member app which will highlight if there are benefits available to you that you’re not aware of and not claiming yet.Ā
Looking to strengthen your finances?
Many people are surprised by how quickly everyday spending can add up.
Understanding where your money goes each month can help you feel more in control, build savings, and prepare for future financial goals.
MoneyHelper’s free Budget Planner is a simple way to review your income and outgoings, spot opportunities to save, and create a plan that works for you.
Money Advice Scotland
A charity that helps people across Scotland deal with debt, financial stress, and money worries by providing free guidance, resources, and access to trusted advice services
Need some help?
Citizens
Advice
Provides free, confidential, and impartial advice to help people deal with problems such as debt, benefits, housing, employment, energy bills, and consumer rights. Through local & online resources, they help people understand their options.
SAMH
Whether youāre living with a mental health problem or supporting someone who is, accessing information about a condition is vital. SAMH has developed a series of information resources for you.
Samaritans
A charity that provides free, confidential emotional support to anyone struggling to cope, experiencing distress, or having suicidal thoughts, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.Ā
NHS Addiction Support
The NHS offers information on recognising signs of addiction and provides guidance on seeking help in general and in your local area.
Frank
Free, confidential UK drug advice service that helps people understand the effects, risks, and laws around drugs and alcohol. Offering a helpline, live chat, educational resources, and guidance for people worried about their own or someone elseās drug use.
Alcohol Change UK
Focus entirely on reducing alcohol harm, working across the whole range of serious alcohol harms, from mental and physical to societal and economic, they work to create five evidence-based changes.
Gamble Aware
Whether you need help with your own or someone elseās gambling, we can help. Gamble Aware have a range of advice including how to look after your finances and how to keep safe from gambling harms.
Change Grow Live
Change Grow Live is a health and social care charity. Providing free and confidential treatment, support and information about drug and alcohol use, smoking, homelessness, justice and probation, and employment.Ā
Struggling with NHS Credit Union loan repayments?
As a member of the NHS Credit Union, we understand that your financial circumstances can change. Should this happen and you consider yourself to be struggling with repaying a loan to us, Please get in touch, the sooner you do, the quicker we can help.
Struggling with other loan repayments?
This FCA document is to explain peopleās rights, encourage them to seek free debt advice, and direct them to support organisations such as MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice, StepChange, Samaritans, and Money Advice Scotland.
This FCA āDefault Information Sheetā is to explain what a default means, warn about possible consequences like legal action or repossession, and direct people to free debt advice and emotional support services.
