In a recent survey by the Money Advice Service 40% of people admitted to not being in control of their finances. It’s definitely true that many of the people who come to The Charity for Civil Servants for financial assistance don’t have the means to cope with unexpected events.

The Charity has delivered 120 ‘Managing Money Well’ sessions to 3,300 civil servants in Northern Ireland, who found the seminars both informative and engaging.

73% of civil servants in NI, who responded to the feedback survey did not have a monthly budget, with 90% reporting that they managed their finances better following the seminars.

The Charity for Civil Servants have updated the Money Advice pages on its website, and have designed a Budget Calculator to help you see how your budgeting is going – and whether you need to take any action regarding your personal finances.

Top tips from the Charity include:

• Complete and maintain a monthly budget – be honest and count everything
• Review your finances regularly
• Seek advice early if you have any concerns – get free advice, where possible
• Plan for later life – it’s never too early to start!
• Shop around for the best deals for insurance, savings/bank accounts, utilities and other items.

You may find it helpful to visit the Charity’s website – www.foryoubyyou.org.uk – to learn more about its help and advisory services, or call 0800 056 2424 for further information.