Every November the Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) host Talk Money Week to encourage people to open up about their finances.

The theme for this year’s Talk Money Week is ‘credit’. During this week Money and Pensions Service will help demystify some of the jargon around credit, build people’s understanding of credit products, and what options are available, including other suitable forms of support.

Check out below the range of information, tools and guidance available through the free government-backed MoneyHelper service.

• How your credit score affects the cost of borrowing
• How to check your credit report
• How to improve your credit score
• Deciding on the best type of credit for you
• Getting Credit for the first time
• Credit Card calculator

Talk Money week is also an opportunity to talk about all aspects of money –

Research shows that people who talk about money:

• make better and less risky financial decisions
• have stronger personal relationships
• help their children form good lifetime money habits
• feel less stressed or anxious and more in control

Online Financial Wellbeing Workshop

To further support the financial wellbeing of EA staff, we have in partnership with Kith & Kin Financial Solutions developed an Online Financial Wellbeing Workshop accessible to all staff via any electronic device.

The course provides access to confidential, free 1 to 1 support, guidance and advice on topics relevant to your personal financial needs.

Please click here to view Cath Conway from U105 giving a short demonstration of this quick and easy course.

To access the Online Financial Wellbeing Workshop - Click here

Just as you take action to improve your physical health, you can also take some simple steps to feel more in control of your financial wellbeing too.

NI Direct have put in place a cost of living support package  for 2022, that includes one-off payments to those on income related benefits, disabled claimants and pensioners.  These payments are intended to provide support with the current rise in the cost of living. 

To find out more please click here – NI Direct cost of living payments

To further support the financial wellbeing of EA staff, please see below a range of links and open access webinars containing advice, guidance and signposting, which we hope you find useful.

• Money and Pensions Service
  • MoneyHelper Click here
• Kith and Kin Financial Wellbeing
  • Making the Most of your Money - Click here
• National Energy Action NI
  • Energy Efficiency in the Home
• Additional Voluntary Contributions –
  • NILGOSC members (non-Teaching) - Click here
  • NITPS members (Teaching) - Click here.

• Nilgosc
  • Pension Information Click here for 45 minute video
• Money and Pensions Service
  • Teachers’ Pension NITPS - Information Session - Click here
  • Non-Teaching Nilgosc – Information Session - Click here
  • Budget Planner - Click here
  • Bill Prioritiser - Click here
  • Debt Advice Locator - Click here
  • How to prioritise your debts - Click here
  • Compare Bank Account fees and charges - Click here
  • How to save calculator - Click here
• Preparing for Retirement modules
  • Financial Preparation - Click here
  • Mental and Social Preparation - Click here
• Financial First Aid –
  • Kith & kin - Click here
• Free Will Writing Service
  • Kennedy Burchill - Click here
• Consumer Council
  • The Role of the Consumer Council
  • Consumer Rights and Returning Goods
  • Saving on your Electricity Bill
  • Staying Safe from Scams
  • Shopping Safely Online

“Good financial health is about having financial security and having the financial freedom to make choices, now and in the future”.