Budgeting and Debt
Budgeting
For advice about making your money go further and the various ways you can do that here is a collection of guides to help you manage your money and save on your everyday household bills.
Borrowing
There are many ways of borrowing money, and they have different features. Knowing which is best for your specific situation can be difficult but it is important to consider your options before taking the plunge. Help and advice is available here
Credit Unions
Credit Unions help people save money and can also provide loans at low interest rates. They are an alternative to payday lenders and ‘loan sharks’ and can help you avoid getting into problem debt. There are four Credit Unions in Cumbria:
- PCCU, recently merged with Affinity Credit Union, covers the whole of Cumbria:
01282 691333. - Carlisle and District Credit Union also covers the whole of Cumbria:
01228 594007. - Barrow & District Credit Union operates South West Cumbria:
01229 870110. - Whitehaven, Egremont and District Credit Union operates in West Cumbria:
01946 66755.
There are also Credit Unions available in other areas as follows;
Bradford & District Credit Union
The Morecombe Bay Credit Union
Debt Advice
Should you require help dealing with debt, including where to go for free debt advice then a range of advice and information is available here
Please be aware that Debt Advice Agencies local to South Lakes Include South Lakes Citizens Advice who can be contacted on 015394 46464 or via advice@southlakesca.org.uk.
You can also locate your local Citizens Advice here https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/nearby/?q=&c=HOME-BUREAU.
Also for alternative free local face to face debt advice in the South Lakes area please contact CAP on 0800 328 0006 or see https://www.kendaldebtcentre.org/.
Loan Sharks
It is tempting to turn to Loan Sharks when you need quick cash but any money borrowed from such individuals can come at a high price and may lead to violence, threats and intimidation. If you think you or someone you know is involved with a loan shark help is available from Stop Loan Sharks.