Credit/Debt

• the average household owes around £58,000

• one person is made bankrupt every few minutes

• the Citizens Advice Bureau deals with 2 million debt problems each year

(According to Credit Action, a money education charity)

Budgeting

• Make a list of everything you spend/buy in one week
• What can you afford? Look at money coming in compared with money going out
• However carefully you budget, there might still be unexpected expenses

Debit, credit and store cards

• Can be useful but many people don't use them carefully and end up owing money.       
• A debit card takes money direct from your bank/building society account but if you have an overdraft, it will take money that isn't there - not so good!
• If you don't pay off your credit/store card bill in full each month, it is easy to get into debt

How not to lose money - examples

• Don't be tempted by any 'get rich quick' schemes
• Before you buy something, ask yourself if you really need it.
• Don't borrow money from unofficial money lenders.
• Be careful on social websites when revealing information (think about 'identity' theft).

Tackling money worries

It's good to tackle problems as soon as possible - but it's never too late. See the Citizens Advice Bureau.

The more control you have over your money, the more you'll be able to cope with any financial problems that arise.