Worried about money?

Things like school uniforms, school lunches, school trips and kids’ activities all add up, and can put pressure on household budgets that are already stretched, but there are ways to manage your costs at this time of year.

If you have young children (under four years old) and are on certain benefits you may be entitled to claim help to buy healthy food and milk. Older children may be entitled to free school meals and they can also benefit from fun activities and hot lunches during school holidays as part of The Holiday Activity and Food programme. You could send your child to school with a packed lunch containing some treats you’ve baked, saving money on expensive pre-packaged items. Check if the school or other parents can pass on pre-loved uniform rather than buying new. And discover the range of free activities available in your local library and free events across Southampton to keep the kids entertained.

If you’re feeling under financial pressure, there is lots of free support available to help you at this difficult time. The government’s MoneyHelper website has free information and resources to help you manage your money, keep up with essential bills and payments and tackle debt. There are useful guides on living on a squeezed income with lots of tips on how to boost your income, save money on household bills and find out if you’re eligible for extra help. Remember it’s quick and easy to find out if you’re receiving all the benefits you’re entitled to. Plus, you can also find out what to do if you’re struggling with bills and payments.

Our friendly Welfare Rights & Money Advice Team are also on hand to offer confidential advice and support on all aspects of claiming benefits, tackling debt and managing money. Simply email or call them on 023 8083 2339.

Remember, however worried you are about money, never accept a loan from a loan shark. These illegal money lenders often use violence and intimidation to recover their debt, plus their extortionate interest rates means you’ll end up paying back a lot more than you would from a legitimate lender.

With autumn just around the corner, many people are already starting to worry about increasing energy bills. Refer to the Southampton Environment Centre for top tips on how to keep warm and save money and check out next month’s Tenants’ Link for a special feature on this topic.