Money matters

The Money matters webpage gives you lots of information relating to money issues and even gives you some top tips that you could save you £££’s

Excellent Independent and free Money Advice

Do you need free and independent money advice? Blyth Valley Housing Limited is supporting a government campaign to help boost the financial security of people who have money worries. The 'Now Lets Talk Money Campaign' has been launched by the Government to tackle financial exclusion by helping people on low incomes find out how they can access bank accounts, low cost loans and advice on how to manage their money better. The campaign is designed to increase the amount of advice and support available to financially excluded people in their own communities from those they trust.

'Now let’s talk money in Blyth Valley' aims to raise awareness of the issues and by working in partnership with Blyth Valley Housing Ltd and with agencies such as Citizens Advice Bureau, and Credit Union to provide advice and support so that tenants can live in their homes without the additional burden that money problems can cause.

If you want good free and independent advice on issues such as:

·        Money & Debt Advice

·        Benefits Advice

·        Credit Unions

·        Affordable Credit

·        Banking

·        Safe Savings

Please visit the  Now Let's Talk Money website

Tips for dealing with debt

• Don’t ignore the problem – it won’t go away.
• Make the most of your income – check that you are claiming all the benefits and tax credits that you can. If you have lost your job or you are off work because you’re ill, check if any debts are covered by payment protection insurance.
• Tackle your priority debts first – for example, debts that would mean losing your home (like rent & mortgage arrears) or having your gas or electricity cut off.
• Work out your personal budget – show it to your creditors when you contact them. A form is available on the “Now lets Talk Money website”..
• Get in touch with all of your creditors straight away and explain your situation. Contact all of your creditors not just the ones which are shouting the loudest. If you arrange to pay some and not others you may get into difficulty again.
• Work out a reasonable offer for each creditor. Don’t worry if the offer seems small. Creditors prefer a regular, small amount rather than an offer you can’t meet every time.
• Don’t give up trying to agree an offer even if creditors are difficult. If the first person you speak to is unhelpful, ask to speak to someone more senior.
• Always keep copies of letters and papers you send or receive. Record dates and times of phone calls and the name of the person you speak to.
• Borrowing money to pay off your existing bills or debts is rarely the best option. Be cautious of all companies offering to turn all your loans into one.
• If you get taken to court make sure you reply to all letters immediately and give the court all the facts. Always go to court hearings and take your personal budget with you.
• If you are a tenant of Blyth Valley Housing and are not confident in completing a budget plan we can make a referral to the Citizens Advice Bureau on your behalf. Please contact the Rents Team on 01670 542121

It’s never too early to start saving for Christmas 2008!

If you’re one of those people who want to put a bit away each week so that you’ll have enough to get what you need at Christmas there are quite a few options.  Joining a credit union or opening a savings account could be a great way to save money. For more information, visit the Financial Standards Authority's website. If you feel this is the way forward for you can download an appliction form from the Northumberland Credit Union Website.

Do you need independent advice on opening a bank account?

>More on bank accounts from the FSA website. Blyth Valley Housing is currently in negotiations with Lloyds TSB with regards to opening a basic bank account. Further information will be posted on the web site when available.

Further Information

You can obtain further information  by contacting our Rents team:

	Write to: Blyth Valley Housing, Dinsdale House, Marine Terrace, Blyth, NE24 2LN.
	Telephone: (01670) 542121   Text us: 07950 08 09 08   Fax us: (01670) 542096
	RNID Typetalk service prefix number 18001
	Email: rents@blythvalley.gov.uk