15 Useful Resources For The Cost of Living Crisis
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The cost of living crisis is affecting everyone, with fuel bills doubling, petrol costs continuing to rise and the knock effect this has on the cost of both groceries and everyday goods.
Then there’s the base rate increase which is affecting mortgages (my own mortgage is likely to increase by £60 a month thanks to this!)
Many families are struggling and will end up in debt, poverty or both by the end of the year. I’ve put together this list of resources which should help if you are struggling.
From checking you’re receiving all the benefits you should be to charities that offer debt support and where to find local mental health support, I really hope at least one of these can have a positive impact on your finances.
1. Could You Be Entitled To Benefits? MSE Benefits Checker
While there can be some stigma around those claiming benefits, it’s always worth checking whether of not you are entitled to any extra help from the government, especially if your circumstances have changed recently.
Many working families, including those with two working adults can claim Universal Credit so it’s worth crunching the numbers via the MSE Benefits checker just to be sure you’re receiving everything you should be.
2. Are You In The Right Council Tax Band? – Gov.uk
You could be paying more than you need to on council tax – check via the Government website (you’ll be asked to provide evidence if you think yours is wrong).
Council Tax bands can sometimes be incorrect when a building has changed, for example, a large house that has been split up into smaller flats.
Don’t forget you should be paying less council tax if you live alone, so if someone you lived with has recently moved out or passed away, let your local council know and the rate should be reduced by 25%.
3. Marriage Tax Allowance
If you earn under the threshold for tax and your married partner earns over it, you can transfer them some of your tax allowances. This only applies to couples that are legally married or in a Civil Partnership.
‘Marriage Allowance lets you transfer £1,260 of your Personal Allowance to your husband, wife or civil partner. This reduces their tax by up to £252 in the tax year (6 April to 5 April the next year)’ Find out more at Gov.uk
I’m self-employed and when we used this while I was building my business back up after maternity leave, it was as simple as ticking a box on my tax return.
4. Compare Prices with Trolley.co.uk
Trolley.co.uk is a great tool for comparing prices on the weekly shop. It’s especially handy if you like to shop around for branded items and see where they are on offer each week.
You can also compare the cost of your usual supermarket shop across all the big players (apart from Lidl).
Do be aware that as Trolley take their prices from the supermarket websites, there can be differences when you shop in-store. I do a lot of couponing and check prices to see if something is worth picking up and some special offers that have shown when checking the app aren’t actually instore.
Downloading the Trolley app is a great way to check prices on the go if that’s more your thing.
5. Get Help with Depher CIC
Depher is a Community Interest Company that was set up to help elderly and disabled people with the cost of heating. Depher founder James is a registered plumber who provides and installs new boilers to those who are unable to afford one or have been left in the lurch by cowboy builders.
Depher also helps people in these vulnerable groups by paying off debts relating to their fuel bills and giving them a top-up of gas and electricity to help them get back on their feet in the following weeks.
As the cost of living crisis has worsened, Depher is now providing families living in poverty with food vouchers, food deliveries and household items such as slow cookers that reduce the cost of fuel.
Depher CIC has one final initiative that helps struggling families provide their children with a few gifts and a cake on their birthday.
Depher is a company I have personally supported with donations as I really admire the work they do. Originally based in the Midlands, they have now helped over 39,000 families and individuals across the UK.
If you need their support or know someone who does, you can reach out to them on Twitter, where you can also see much of the amazing work they are doing.
Should you be in a position to do so, you can support Depher via their GoFundMe. Please note they are CIC not a charity.
6. Download The Hope App
The Hub of Hope (website and app) provides information on local and national help services for mental health, domestic abuse and anyone that feels they are in crisis.
It’s really easy to use, simply type in your location and what you are struggling with. The app or website will then provide a list of places you can contact for support. You can also set it to only show support services aimed at young people.
The cost of living crisis is having a huge impact on people’s mental health as they struggle to afford to pay their bills. This app and website mean that mental health support is right at your fingertips should you need it.
7. Find or Donate Food With Olio
Olio is a free food app that connects people with surplus food with others that would like to take it off their hands. If you’re struggling with the increase in food costs, checking the Olio app a few times a week could mean you’re able to bag a few freebies.
Why are people giving food away? Well, there could be all sorts of reasons – some people like to clear their fridge of all perishables before they go on holiday, it could be an abundance of crops from an allotment or simply a product they bought a few of and then didn’t like.
I follow a lovely lady on Instagram who buys lots of very cheap yellow sticker items at her local supermarket and then gives them away to others in her communuity.
8. Heat The Person Not The House – Money Saving Expert Guide
If you’re worried about the cost of heating your home this winter (I mean, who isn’t?!) then Money Saving Expert has a great guide on heating the person rather than the whole home, which should work out cheaper.
9. 17 Extreme Frugal Living Tips
If you want to really cut back, then it might be time for some extreme frugal living. While I do live quite frugally for the most part, extreme frugal living takes things several steps further and it might not be sustainable in the very long term.
However, it can be useful, for example, to help you reduce expenses to pay off debt or after an unexpected job loss.
How To Be Frugal: 25 Frugal Living Tips
10. The Samaritans
If it feels like the cost of living crisis is all too much and you need someone to talk to, the Samaritans are there 24/7.
Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org (for emails allow a 24-hour response time)
The Samaritans will listen, are not religious and they won’t impose their own views on you. They may be able to help you contact local services if you feel you need further support.
11. Register To Vote
Let’s be honest, the cost of living crisis is pretty crap. While there are many contributing factors, much of the onus does fall on the current government. I’m not here to tell you who to vote for, but I am going to say if you want to see change, then you need to vote.
Register to vote using this link.
Getting your name on the electoral can also help with things like your credit score if you plan on buying a property in the future.
12. Citizens Advice
If you’re struggling with money, then citizens’ advice can help.
These are just some of the topics they can offer help and advice with:
- Paying bills and grants you may be entitled to.
- Check which benefits you should be getting.
- What help you may be able to get with paying your bills.
- Debt advice.
- Work-related grievances.
- Problems with landlords and housing.
You can make an appointment to chat with someone in person or you can have a discussion over the telephone or using the online chat facility.
13. Step Change
Step Change is a charity that specialises in helping people with their debts. They offer debt-related support for as long as you need it and will advise you on the best solution for your debt going forwards.
14. What To Do When You Can’t Afford Food
The most difficult thing about this cost of living crisis is everything hitting all at once. Families who may have once had £200 – £300 a month for savings are now using that money to cover their everyday living costs.
Those that couldn’t afford to save, are now getting into debt just to pay the bills. Many people will prioritize their mortgage and other bills and then find they have no money left for food.
Parents go without food so their kids can eat and others will just eat as little as possible, just enough to survive. Hunger only heightens the sense of shame many people will already be feeling about struggling to pay their bills.
If you are in this situation there is help available. You can get help via The Trussell Trust
Lesley over at Thrifty Lesley has a wide range of extremely cheap recipes.
15. Shelter – What To Do When You Can’t Afford Rent
With many landlords increasing rents by hundreds of pounds, partially due to the increase in the Bank of England base rate, there may come a point where you can no longer afford your rent.
Shelter has a fantastic guide for what to do if you find yourself in this situation.
