Managing my money

We can all have problems juggling our finances and managing money sometimes. If you’re struggling, our Moneywise team may be able to help you to make the most of your income and suggest ways to reduce your spending.

Our Moneywise team can help you with

Applying for benefits you might be entitled to
Challenging incorrect decisions about benefits
Helping with notifying changes in circumstance
Applying for grants or schemes – including grants to help you pay utility bills
Understanding your spending and suggesting ways to reduce your expenditure
Understanding priority and non-priority debts
Comparing your current utility providers with a range of others to see if you can get a better deal
Opening a bank account
Accessing other organisations that might be able to help you.

You can contact the Moneywise team by filling out a form through your MyRaven online account.

Request Moneywise support

Budgeting help

It can sometimes be helpful to work out what money you have coming in and what you have going out by making a list of income and spending each month.

The Money Helper website provided by the Money Advice Service have a useful budget calculator on their website. Click on the button below to access it:

Budget calculator

There are ways of reducing how much you spend. You may be able to find cheaper deals on your utilities like gas, electricity, telephone, mobile phone or TV package.

You may be entitled to a reduction in your water bills if you are on a low income. Discounted water schemes are offered by water companies like SES Water, Southern Water, and Thames Water.

Help with Water Bills

Debt advice

Prioritising outgoings

Type of debt	What could happen if you don’t pay
Rent, mortgage or service charges	You could lose your home
Council tax	You could have money taken from your wages or benefits, bailiffs could seize possessions, or you could go to prison
TV licence	You could have money taken from your wages or benefits, bailiffs could seize possessions, or you could go to prison
Electricity or gas	Your supply could be cut off
Magistrates court fine	You could go to prison
Water bills	You could get a County Court Judgment, bailiffs could seize your possessions
Catalogues, credit cards, overdrafts, personal loans, store cards. mobile phone debt	You could be sued in the county court and could end up with a County Court Judgment, which would be likely to affect your credit rating

Cost of living crisis

We know many of you are worried about paying your rent and bills, especially with the increase in energy prices and the cost of living. We want to reassure you that no one will be evicted from their home as a result of financial hardship, this is as long as you continue to talk to us and accept the support offered. Legal action is only taken as a last resort where we are unable to come to an affordable payment arrangement and we will always try to discuss this with you before taking action.

Emma’s story

This video shows Emma’s story of the support she received from the Moneywise team:

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