Work and money worries
Work and money worries
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Work
For those seeking employment there are many sources of help in the community. Some of the help available is noted below.
www.employmentacademies.co.uk
The employment academies aim to help people into work and assist employers in their recruitment difficulties. To do this they:
- Provide information on the sector in which they operate
- Build the right skills for jobseekers to find employment
- Provide an introduction to employers.
They operate in sectors where there are employment opportunities. It functions within Edinburgh and the Lothians area.
They know:
- What careers are on offer
- What a jobseeker might want to know about it
- What skills, qualification a sector is looking for.
www.thewisegroup.co.uk
The Wise Group provides training and employment opportunities for unemployed and workless adults throughout Scotland and the North east of England.
It is a charitable organization which is dedicated to helping unemployed people back into work. It further offers paid work experience and personal development which helps people prepare for employment.
The Wise Group Head Office is based in Glasgow (0141 303 313) email: enquiries@thewisegroup.co.uk
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Jobcentre Plus can assist you in finding an appropriate job at the right level.
It will be introduced everywhere by 2006. If you live outside these areas your local jobcentre or Social Security Office, both of which are part of the Jobcentre Plus network, will be able to help you.
www.dwp.gov.uk
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) exists to:
- Promote opportunity and independence for all
- Help individuals achieve their potential through employment
- Work to end poverty in all its forms.
Money worries
How might this affect me?
For many people life can be difficult when money is a concern. If there is a limited amount of money coming in it can cause you a great deal of stress. It can be important to check your entitlements and any benefits you may be due. A good source of advice can be your local Department of Social Security or your local Citizens Advice Bureau.
As soon as you start getting bills there is a danger you can get into debt. Debt is a major concern for many people in Scotland. Getting out of debt may mean that you have to make a lot of sacrifices but if you get this problem sorted out it will certainly clear your mind. The important thing is to get it sorted before the debt becomes larger and larger as ignoring the problem will not make it go away. Get help and speak with a debt counsellor who can arrange an appointment with you to look at ways of tackling your financial difficulties. Taking this kind of action will help to ease some of the stress and pressure money worries can cause.
If you are in debt it is important to keep in touch with the people you owe money to. They may be writing or phoning you and putting pressure on you to pay up! Unless you contact them, they will assume that you do not want to pay and may take legal action against you. Honesty with them is the best policy. You may well be able to negotiate a payment plan. In being honest you are making them aware of your financial circumstances and they may give you a short payment holiday.
It is essential to:
- Make a list of your debts – priority and non priority debt (see below)
- Make an income and expenditure list. Where can you realistically make some savings?
- Do not ignore creditors' letters or phone calls
- If you are thinking of using a debt management company take advice from one of the free advice agencies (see below)
- Do not borrow, if possible, any more money to pay your debts.
Your local Citizens Advice Bureau can also help you to:
- Draw up an income expenditure sheet and a budget
- Deal with your creditors on your behalf
- Help if you feel your creditors are harassing you
- Always advise on the best way forward.
What may cause debt to happen?
Priority Debts
Always try to sort these debts out first as the penalties can often be more serious:
- Mortgage arrears
- Rent arrears
- Income tax and VAT
- Court fines
- Fuel debts
- Loans secured against your home
- Car loan and you need the car.
Non-Priority Debts
These can be tackled afterwards as penalties can be less severe:
- Credit card and store cards
- Catalogues
- Bank overdrafts
- Benefits overpayments
- Money borrowed from friends and family.
Students
It was reported recently that students worry more about money than they do about their studies. Twice as many undergraduates (59%) cite their finances as being their main worry followed by their studies (29%). This was carried out by the Post Office in March 2005 interviewing 1000 students.
It is one of the biggest causes of tension and stress in shared households as students argue over splitting rent and bills. It falls on parents a good deal of the time to contribute to their children's bills but despite this the average student still leaves college/university in debt given that the cost of university, including fees and living expenses can be estimated at around £8000 a year. In this research a quarter of all parents stated they will have to work beyond 65 to pay for their children's university education.
Many students will get a part time job to help meet some of their expenses. The minimum wage still applies to these temporary jobs. The current minimum for 18 – 21 year olds is £4.10 per hour and for workers over 21 the legal minimum is £4.85.
If you need help right now, visit the Immediate Help page.
