Your money and budget

Managing your money whilst studying can be a struggle. Always try to make sure you keep to a budget. A budget planner can really help to manage your money by:

• Tracking how much money you have coming in (e.g. from wages, benefits)
• How much money is going out on essential costs (e.g. rent, gas, food)
• How much money is left over at the end of the month for other costs

Do you need help managing your finances?

We can check you are getting all the money you are entitled to and help you with a budget planner.

There is also some useful information about pain-free budgeting on the Directgov website.

Do you have debts which are adding up?

• Don’t bury your head in the sand – we can help
• Work out your priority debts. These will be the ones where serious action can be taken if you do not pay them, for example rent, mortgage payments, and council tax
• Work out a repayment plan which is affordable, paying your priority debts first
• Contact your creditors as soon as possible to show them you are attempting to pay – the earlier you make contact, the more flexible they will be
• Always keep copies of any letters you send out to creditors
• Never pay for debt advice. There are a number of free debt advice agencies that can help you come up with an affordable repayment plan

Debt organisations

When you realise that debts are becoming a problem contact one of the many free advice organisations for support on the best steps to solve the problem. There are a number of free debt advice services within Bristol.

For further information

0117 312 5000

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