5 Everyday Changes to Save Money

    Here are a few tips you can follow to help you save that little bit extra! These small changes can have a major impact on your annual finances and help you feel more comfortable with your money.

 Money management

Work with a budget. If you’re someone who impulse buys, then a properly thought out budget could become your best friend.

A budget is not something to fear, all it takes is preparation and dedication! By working out your weekly costing for food, petrol (or public transport), any memberships or classes you pay for, subscriptions and of course a treat, you are giving yourself an accurate representation of the budget you can live within. The one rule for this money saving tip is to not overcompensate to make yourself feel better! You must be ruthless in order to see a change.

2.       Use price comparison websites

Shopping around for the best deals is a perfect way to find the cheapest option. This can be for insurance, broadband and maybe even bank accounts. These websites can save you from overspending and can very quickly save you a few quid!

3.       Bulk buying to the rescue

Buying in bulk is probably the easiest way to save on your everyday items. This can apply to your everyday life as well as your business, for example, pens are a common necessity in almost every business. But, buying the odd pack of pens here and there can rack up to a high price whereas if you buy in bulk your getting more bang for your buck!

4.       Turn that heat down

The colder seasons can see us walking in and whacking that central heating right up to take the chill off.

Turning your heating down by as little as one degree and sticking a jumper on can see a decrease of 10% in your heating bill. There’s even apps, like ‘Hive’, which can help you to control your heating away from home, making it that little bit easier to save.

5.       Go generic

Brands can be super expensive to buy and can rack up your shopping bill if they become a repeat buy. Swap that named brand for something generic. With budget supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl, you can find some seriously good quality dupes and much more affordable prices.

Energy Saving Week Tips

Turn off Standby appliances

Take a look around your home, how many appliances do you have on standby? TV, phone charger, microwave, lights? These devices draw power when plugged in and not in use. This is sometimes known as 'vampire power'.  Each appliance may only account for £3 each year although, if you have 30 appliances on standby this amounts to £90 every year! Research from energy saving experts have also discovered that having appliances on standby may account for about one hundredth of all carbon dioxide emissions released into the atmosphere globally.

 Turn down Temperatures

The washing machine is one of the most heavily used appliances in the home. A 7kg washing machine used 220 times a year will cost typically between £25 - £35 a year to run. In-fact, wet appliances account for almost 10% of typical household’s energy bills. To save energy, switch to low temperature 30-degree washes.

Money can also be saved by turning down the thermostat dial. Research from Energy Saving Trust shows that more than 60 % of the British public are making at least one heating control errors. Simply setting your thermostat from 24 C to 23 C, could save £75 a year to your annual energy bill.

Be Water-wise

Save water by turning off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving, rather than running a constant stream. Studies have shown that we waste four gallons a minute. Doing this can save 200 gallons a week for a family of four!

Think twice before filling up your kettle to the brim. The average kettle holds 1.5 litres of water and uses about 0.1 kWh of electricity to boil for 3 minutes. That’s around 2.5 pence every time you boil a full kettle. The average British person drinks 884 cups of tea each year, this means that we spend over £20 every year boiling the kettle!

About us:

Better Off Finance is offering residents of the Liverpool City Region who are currently unemployed (although don't have to be claiming benefits), a bespoke programme of support. 

This support will be provided at a local community venue or at home if a participant prefers.

Each participant will be linked up with their own key worker who will support them to:

Improve their financial capability through 1-2-1 support and group work

·                     Access employability sessions within the programme

·                     Access a Level 2 Accredited ‘Money Mentor’ opportunity

·                     Progress into training and education opportunities

·                     Prepare and progress into sustainable employment.

Please contact us via our Facebook or Twitter pages to make a referral or for further information.

Better Off Finance is a program jointly funded by The Big Lottery Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative

5 Tips to Celebrate Christmas on a Budget

You don’t have to break the bank to enjoy a great Christmas. Don’t get overwhelmed by your time and finances by following our 5 tips to celebrating Christmas day on a budget. 

1. Set a budget 
Before you start thinking about what gift you’re going to buy for the office secret Santa – you need to be thinking about what you can afford to spend altogether on the festive period. The best way of doing this is by calculating your budget and knowing exactly where your money is going to go. Having a budget in front of you will help you to track your outgoing funds. You can start your own tracker by using a simple spreadsheet or you can use this Christmas Money Planner by The Money Advice Service 

2. Make a list 
Writing down a list of people you’re going to buy for or food you’ll need for the day will make sure you stay on track with spends. The list will give you a good idea important items and maybe not so important ones (Your neighbours cat might not need a present!) it’s also great to be able to cross the items off. Don’t be afraid to trim this list down when needed!

3. Don’t be fooled by sales
Don’t be tricked by the “50% off” signs that will start to appear around the shops – if it’s not on your list, you don’t need it!

4. Get savvy with vouchers
Whilst there will be deals in the shops that will make you spend unnecessary money – you can save a lot of money by checking for any discounts for items that are on your list. 

5. It’s the thought that counts 
Homemade gifts and decorations can be inexpensive and easy to make. Getting creative with some craft products can save you a lot of money but also make for a more personalised gift. If you’re not feeling creative – charity shop finds can also make for great affordable gifts! 

About us:

Better Off Finance is offering residents of the Liverpool City Region who are currently unemployed (although don't have to be claiming benefits), a bespoke programme of support. 

This support will be provided at a local community venue or at home if a participant prefers.

Each participant will be linked up with their own key worker who will support them to:

Improve their financial capability through 1-2-1 support and group work

• Access employability sessions within the programme
• Access a Level 2 Accredited ‘Money Mentor’ opportunity
• Progress into training and education opportunities
• Prepare and progress into sustainable employment.

Please contact us via our Facebook or Twitter pages to make a referral or for further information.

Better Off Finance is a program jointly funded by The Big Lottery Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative

Better Off Finance Ambassador Scheme Launch!

We’re so excited to announce that we’ve launched our very own Better Off Finance ambassador scheme. We’ve rounded up a group of money savvy individuals who are ready to shout out about the financial and employability support available across the Liverpool City Region.

Each ambassador has been through the Better Off Finance programme and has expert knowledge on how the programme can be used as a catalyst to begin thinking positively about the future. The ambassadors will be key to helping us reach people out in the community who are currently struggling, unaware of services that are available to them.

If you’ve recently been given support from Better Off Finance and would love to stay connected with us through the ambassador scheme, get in touch!

Without further ado, Meet your ambassadors...

Make sure to keep with us to see what our ambassadors are getting up to within the next couple of months. If you see one of our ambassadors out and about at any community events, be sure to say hello! 

About us:

Better Off Finance is offering residents of the Liverpool City Region who are currently unemployed (although don't have to be claiming benefits), a bespoke programme of support. 

This support will be provided at a local community venue or at home if a participant prefers.
Each participant will be linked up with their own key worker who will support them to:
Improve their financial capability through 1-2-1 support and group work

• Access employability sessions within the programme
• Access a Level 2 Accredited ‘Money Mentor’ opportunity
• Progress into training and education opportunities
• Prepare and progress into sustainable employment.

Please contact us via 0151 706 8111 or hello@thewo.org.uk to make a referral or for further information.

Better Off Finance is a program jointly funded by The National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative

Journey Through The My Turn Programme

Since the launch of our My Turn Programme in April 2018, our trainers have been travelling around the Liverpool City Region helping people just like you Think, Believe & Achieve! We were lucky enough to hear from our trainer Victoria Hart who gave us a taster of what My Turn covers. 

Let’s hand over to Victoria as she takes us through the MyTurn journey during her Wirral Citizens Advice sessions…

Starting off the "Think, Believe & Achieve" session with 10 participants, we start with an icebreaker session, which is always a brilliant way to allow a group to get to know each other and meet the people they are going to be spending the programme with. We found out about hobbies and achievements which produced some brilliant discussions, including finding out one member of the group had abseiled down Devils Gorge in Mold, and another had met Amanda Holden! It was a fantastic way for everyone to introduce themselves.

We moved on to an important discussion of confidence and what the group thought confidence was. From this discussion, some great suggestions were put forward

“Being comfortable with yourself” and “being able to say no”

From the points raised, the group then identified situations where they would need to feel confident. Throughout the morning, we focused on the practical strategies for improving confidence on a day to day basis, from visualisation to power stances.

Before breaking for lunch, we also delved into barriers that the group through they needed to overcome and were able to help each other thing about the ways in which they could overcome them. The group found hearing other people’s stories useful, as it made them realise that others are going through the same thing, something that made them feel less isolated.

We recommenced with assertiveness. In a group, we identified the differences between aggressive, passive, passive-aggressive and assertive behaviour. Using celebrities, the group identified that assertive behaviour can sometimes be seem as a negative thing and that there are many derogatory words related to being assertive. We discussed how assertiveness can be used in different situations and how confidence has a link to assertiveness.

The group reflected on what they found the most useful during the session

“Understanding how confidence and the relation to wellbeing”

“Meeting new people and learning new things about other people’s issues”

“It’s good information with useful practical advice”

Thanks Victoria! Sounds like some great things were covered, and big congratulations to our My Turn participants! 

New dates available below!

About us:

Working as part of the Better off Finance Programme My Turn is a 2-day Programme of personal development. The My Turn Programme will provide the opportunity for you to take time out for yourself and think about ‘What’s next?’

The programme offers you the opportunity to attend both days or just one day. You can find out more information about the programme here 

Please contact us by calling 0151 706 8111 or email hello@thewo.org.uk to book onto the programme or for further information.

Better Off Finance is a program jointly funded by The Big Lottery Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative 

Lets talk about the link between Debt and Mental Health

Opening up about personal finances can be a sore subject, especially when facing money issues or finding yourself spiralling into debt. 6 million Britons believe that they will never be debt free, with the average person in the UK owing up to a whopping £8,000! 

Ok, debt is a financial issue. But it can often lead to someone losing their home, relationship, family, and can pote ntially affect absolutely anyone. Whether you're employed or claiming benefits, falling behind on bills or being unable to pay back loans can bring you down. And whilst your income may just cover those ‘essential things’ in life, money doesn’t always stretch as far as covering built up debt from payday loans or credit cards.

Whilst worrying about the lack of money has effects on your social life and your ability to splash out on the finer things, it can also cause a fundamental change in your mental health, knocking your confidence and leaving you with the inability to think about your future or set goals and aspirations. One in two adults with debts has mental health problems, leaving people with long term effects such as depression and anxiety.

Research has shown that consumers with mental health problems believe their behaviour changes dramatically during periods of poor mental health. 93% say they spend more when unwell, 71% have put off dealing with creditors and 59% have taken out a loan they wouldn’t have taken out otherwise. The link between mental health and debt isn't something we can ignore.

The Better Off Finance program is here to help. We want to change the taboo of talking about money, support people in making their money go further and be a guiding hand to those who are ready to face their issues head on. So if you or anyone you know is out of work (don't have to be claiming benefits) and needs support, then get in touch and see if we can help.

About us: 

Better Off Finance is offering residents of the Liverpool City Region who are currently unemployed (although don't have to be claiming benefits), a bespoke programme of support. This support will be provided at a local community venue or at home if a participant prefers.

Each participant will be linked up with their own key worker who will support them to:

• Improve their financial capability through 1-2-1 support and group work

• Access employability sessions within the programme

• Access a Level 2 Accredited ‘Money Mentor’ opportunity

• Progress into training and education opportunities

• Prepare and progress into sustainable employment.

Please contact us via our Facebook or Twitter pages to make a referral or for further information.

Better Off Finance is a program jointly funded by The Big Lottery Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative 

Drop-In And See Our Money Saving Experts At 54 St James Street!

Starting on Thursday 31st August, for one day each month a team of money saving experts will be at Liverpool city centre location, 54 St James Street, running a drop-in session to help you get the most for your money!

Money saving experts from the Better Off Finance project will be holding a drop-in morning once a month and you are invited to come along and speak to them about anything money related, or job related, that may be on your mind!

The drop-in sessions will be happening on the following dates…

Thursday 31st August
Thursday 28th September 
Thursday 26th October
Thursday 23rd November

All from 9am-1pm, at 54 St James Street, Liverpool, L1 0AB

About us: 

Better Off Finance is offering residents of the Liverpool City Region who are currently unemployed (although don't have to be claiming benefits), a bespoke programme of support. This support will be provided at a local community venue or at home if a participant prefers.

Each participant will be linked up with their own key worker who will support them to:

• Improve their financial capability through 1-2-1 support and group work

• Access employability sessions within the programme

• Access a Level 2 Accredited ‘Money Mentor’ opportunity

• Progress into training and education opportunities

• Prepare and progress into sustainable employment.

Please contact us via our Facebook or Twitter pages to make a referral or for further information.

Better Off Finance is a program jointly funded by The Big Lottery Fund and European Social Fund as part of the Building Better Opportunities Initiative