Money advice from L&Q

L&Q has produced a handy booklet for residents called "Your money in your hands" which offers information and advice about a wide range of financial issues. You can download the "Your money in your hands" booklet here.

You can find the helpful links highlighted in the booklet below.

Bank accounts and credit unions

To find out where your nearest Credit Union is based, contact the Association of British Credit Unions Ltd (ABCUL) - Visit the ABCUL website

Dealing with debt

• The National Debtline can give you advice on managing your debt. - Visit the National Debtline website.
• The Consumer Credit Counselling Service is another organisation offering advice and help with managing your debt. - Visit the Consumer Credit Counselling Service website or call the freephone number 0800 652 6929.
• You can also visit Community Money Advice to find your local advice centre.

Loans and Credit

• Websites like MoneySupermarket compare hundreds of loans to help you choose the most suitable one for you. -  Visit the Money Supermarket website
  
• You should only ever deal with lenders based in Britain who are properly regulated. - Check the Financial services Authority website for more information.
  

Get a copy of your "credit rating files" to flag up any debt problems from companies like:

• Experian
• Equifax
• Callcredit

Finally, the DirectGov website has advice for dealing with loan sharks - with the best advice being 'don't!'.

Managing your bills

• You can check the best deals from different energy suppliers at the Energy Shop website
• You can also get tips and advice on how to save energy from the Energy saving Trust website.
  
• Cut down on your food bills by eating food that is currently in season. Visit the Eat the Seasons website to find out what food is currently in season.

Getting into work

• Websites like CV Tips and CV Masterclass offer more advice on putting together the perfect CV.
• If you are currently looking for employment you can find career help and advice on the Directgov website. You can also browse some of the most recent jobs advertised on the site. 

Useful money saving websites

• Money Supermarket allows you to compare products and services to find the best deal.
• Lastminute.com is a one-stop shop for the best deals on flights, hotels, holiday packages, restaurants or days out.
• VoucherCodes.com , VoucherCodes.co.uk and My Voucher Codes offer big discounts on goods and services with online voucher codes and promotional coupons.
• Money Saving Expert offers advice on getting the most from banks, tips to reduce bills, advice on reclaiming money, and shopping savings.
• Gumtree is devoted to classified advertisements for great deals on everything from cars and property to furniture and computer equipment.
• Advice Guide the online Citizens Advice service that provides help and advice on all matters relating to benefits, housing, employment and tax issues.
• Uswitch Is the price you are paying for goods and services really the best available? If it isn't uswitch.com will help you find the deal that is right for you and help you to switch.
• ebay this famous online auction website is still a fantastic place to pick up incredible bargains and have them delivered straight to your door.

Access to Benefits

• You will need to contact your local council to get detailed advice on any benefits you may be entitled to. To find your local council's website you can visit DirectGov
• Working tax credit - extra money for people in work. Visit the Working tax credits pages on the HMRC website for more information.
• Support for people who need help to work - To see if you qualify please visit Directgov and see the section on benefits.
  
• Support for people under 65 with a disability - To find out the current rates and get a claim form visit Directgov's section for disabled people

Pensioner's benefits

For more information about the different benefits available for pensioners please visit the department for work and pensions website.

Veterans' benefits and pensions - anyone who has served in the UK armed forces including widows, widowers and their dependants may be entitled to help with pensions. Visit the Veterans UK website for more information.

Age Concern and Help the aged is now known as Age UK. They have a section on their site that deal with money matters for older people. You can have a look at the AgeUK site here. 

More useful contacts

• Turn2us advisors can give you free independent advice to help you get the money that is available to you. Visit the Turn2us website
• National Debtline if you have debt problems visit the National Debtline website
• The Money Advice Service, an independent advice organisation, has an online health check for your finances which is free to use.
• Debt Advice Trust - advice on dealing with debt. Visit the Debt Advice Trust website.
• Child benefit enquiries - Child benefit pages on the HMRC website
• Winter Fuel Payments help and advice - visit the section on fuel payment on Directgov for more information about winter fuel payments
• Citizens advice - visit the Citizens Advice Bureau website or the Advice Guide website
• Top Up Safe - Only buy credit for your pre-pay electricity meter from official outlets such as the Post Office, PayPoint or Payzone, or youll end up paying twice.