Thursday 13th April 2023
As part of the Citizens Advice Exeter and The Express and Echo weekly advice column this week we focus on price rises.
I am a single parent, with two young children. I am struggling to stay on top of my household bills – I don’t know how I’m going to afford to pay for everything. What can I do to stop my finances spiralling out of control?
First of all, you are not alone in this and there’s support to help you.
It’s always worth checking if there are benefits you don’t know about that you’re eligible for, including support with your energy costs and living costs. On the Citizens Advice website there’s a benefits calculator, advice on how to reduce living costs and information on other ways to increase your income. There’s also emergency support that you may have access to, such as food bank vouchers or fuel vouchers. You could contact your local council to see if they could also offer support.
If you’re struggling to stay on top of bills, it’s really important to understand what money you have coming in and going out each month. Citizens Advice has a budgeting tool on its website that can help with this.
And if you’re already behind on bills, prioritise paying your rent or mortgage, plus energy bills and Council Tax first. Not paying these bills has the most serious consequences. You should speak to the person or company you owe money to, to see if they can help you repay your bills sustainably.
We know that times are incredibly tough but please remember, you don’t have to face this alone, do contact your local Citizens Advice to help you find a way forward.
For more information and advice go to www.citizensadvice.org.uk
The information contained in these articles does not constitute advice. Citizens Advice Exeter and The Express and Echo accept no liability for the information published. Citizens Advice Exeter is unable to respond to individual requests for advice through these columns. Copyright Citizens Advice. For the most up-to-date information, please visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk