Well it has to be said that despite the beauty of falling leaves and the winter sunshine, this time of year also brings its additional stresses. Even more so with the cost of living crisis still in our midst, our monthly bills are sitting at an all-time high.
Not only do we have the worry of being able to put food on the table, and heat our homes, it is very much, ‘The most expensive time of the year’.
It is often said that it is the little things which can make the biggest difference, and this can be said about our financial wellbeing.
The Health and Social Care Partnership Financial Wellbeing Project is here to help and you can find advice and support through the link to the HSCP site or you can contact us confidentially through the direct link:
So, what can we do to help ourselves through this winter?
Let’s start with Budgeting
A good budget is helped with forward planning. However, we are here now, so what can we do from right this very minute?
It is not about what we would like. The first question to ask ourselves is, what can I afford to spend? One day of the year should not ruin the next 12 months with worry and debts. Quoting from Martin Lewis,
“Why don’t we work together to release each other from the obligation of gifting unnecessary gifts”
If we are honest with ourselves, we are all probably guilty of gifting out of obligation. So why not start today, make a list of unnecessary gifts and as I like to say, ‘pull on our big pants’ and speak to those to whom we give these gifts. In doing so, you may just actually be gifting them with one less worry.
Budget Smart – Take the time to sit down and work out what you have available to spend. Make a list & check it twice!! Write down what you need to buy, work out how much you can spend on each item and stick to it.
Shop Smart – Look out for discounts and buy early, use free cashback sites and earn money as you spend.
Looking for a personal ‘gift’? Why not consider a free Christmas cheque gift? This can be in the form of a handmade IOU for say, breakfast in bed or a romantic picnic; for kids, you could let them have the TV control for the day, or for a games or film night? For a friend or relative, it could be as simple as setting time aside to catch up on a walk or an invite to your home for a home cooked lunch. The options are truly endless.
For food, buy cheaper alternatives, ‘posh’ isn’t always better. Again, buy any staples when discounted and put them away in advance.
What can we do about Energy?
Our energy bills are another source of worry again this year. We are all still paying more than ever to keep warm and heat our homes. Unfortunately, climate change means increased chances of a tougher, colder winter.
Although we do not have control over how much it costs, we do have some control over how much we actually use. I am not talking about switching off your much-needed heating, it is all about the little things, so that we can balance this with what we do need such as heat and hot food.
Look out for Energy Education Session video coming soon to the HSPC site for lots of tips and advice. You can also find some tips here at the Home Energy Scotland Site.
It is always good to know if you are eligible for some additional financial help, such as, the warm home discount, winter fuel payment or winter heating payment. There is also assistance with fuel vouchers if you are running out of energy with no way to pay or top up.
Finally, let’s talk about Food.
Food is something that many of us have taken for granted for a long time, however the cost of living crisis has had a huge effect on the cost of our food bills. For some this will now be one of your most expensive monthly bills, whilst many others are really struggling to put food on their tables.
Tips for cutting your food bill include, making packet lunches, switching your supermarket and using own branded products. Nightly yellow sticker deals mean great prices on soon to be out of date products which can be frozen.
What I would like people to know is that you are not alone, and to remember, that there is help out there for you and your family to help you through these difficult times. Whether this is in the form of a food parcel or hot meal, help with your energy bills or for help with budgeting and debt.
All you have to do is reach out. We are here to help each and every one of you.
What we have achieved so far.
Since the project started we have provided advice to 46 clients on a range of issues from help with energy, to identifying and applying for benefits and grants, to helping with sickness and ill-health, bereavement, debts, council tax, foodbanks and many more.
To date, 18 of those clients are now in receipt of financial help amounting to a grand total of £42,575.22 with many more still waiting to hear about their entitlements.
If there is one thing you can do today, then take the time to visit the HSPC website to see what type of advice and support we can offer. Use the self-help tools or the referral link. You might just be surprised. A quick chat may be all that is needed to set you on the right path to be financially better off even in some small way.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you
all a merry Christmas season.
Pauline
If you require any further information then I can be contacted via email at pauline.kirk@dagcas.org or by phone on 0300 303 4321.
Cost of Living Crisis
The present cost of living crisis is taking its toll on the British pubic with around half of people now shopping around.
The rise in food costs equates to an annual increase around 9%.
What are you doing to tackle the cost of living crisis?
dghealth 