Debt and Money
Citizens Advice provide a wide resource of advice, information and guidance relating to debt and money issues at the following link:
Debt & Money Resources – Citizens Advice Scotland
Money map | Citizens Advice Scotland
Keeping on top of your money is a very important aspect of most people’s lives. Sometimes unexpected events can cause real money problems. Dumfries & Galloway Citizens Advice Service offers a full range of debt and money services, ranging from assistance to accessing formal and informal debt remedies.
These range from negotiating repayment plans for multiple debts by negotiating with creditors, assisting with applications to the Scottish Government’s ‘debt arrangement scheme’ and applications for bankruptcy.
D&GCAS Debt Self Help Pack
D&GCAS have created a self help pack with all the information and resources you’ll need to manage your debts. This includes a financial statement template, Budgeting help as well as letter templates for writing to your creditors.
Free Money Advice Learning Modules
Money Advice Scotland’s free e-Learning modules are useful and accessible to everyone. To ensure this we have provided links to each topic which enable users to complete our modules without needing to register as a user.
Money Saving Tips
How much could you save? (Energy Saving Trust)
- Switch off standby £45 per year
- Install draught proofing £80 per year
- Turn off the lights £7 per year
- Fewer, colder laundry cycles £24 per year
- Avoid using the tumble dryer £50 per year
- Take a 4-minute shower £60 per year
- Swap one bath a week for a shower £9 per year
- Don’t overfill the kettle, use a tap aerator £29 per year
- Less dishwasher use £12 per year
- Top up your hot water insulation £40 per year
Other money saving tips
- Take the 1p savings challenge – you could save over £650 in a year
- Have no spend days
- Want to treat yourself to something? Save the money first
- Check your tax code is correct
- Overpay your mortgage each month by whatever you can afford and potentially save thousands in interest
- Keep checking for better deals – bank account switching deals, broadband, mobile phone plans, insurances for instance
- Use money management apps like Chase, Moneybox, chip which give you the same functionality as digital bank pots with online banks like Monzo, Starling etc
- Use cash instead of your debit card
- Don’t pay interest on debt – pay in full or transfer to a 0% balance credit card, and pay off over a set period of time interest
- Automate your savings
- Try the 50/30/20approach
- 50% of your income for bills, food, minimum debt repayments
- 30% of your income for discretionary spending like eating out, shopping, trips etc
- 20% of your income for savings, investments, topping up your pension fund or paying off debt beyond minimum payments
Speak to us in person.
