Many people in Abingdon and across the UK are considering their financial positions with some concern. The situation looks difficult with higher food bills, gas and electricity charges, and mortgage payments. This can be made worse if people do not fully understand the situation and Citizens Advice advises that it is important to be calm and objective. Citizens Advice recommends ‘calculator’ tools to provide simple guidance on what our financial position is, giving an objective diagnosis.
Two calculators in particular are recommended.
Turn2Us Benefits Calculator
The first is a benefits calculator on the trusted Turn2us website. You might not be aware that you could be eligible to receive benefits and you only need to answer a few simple questions. The Turn2Us benefits calculator can help you to find out.
Energy calculator
The second is an energy calculator on the Citizens Advice website which will tell you the cost of using various electrical appliances. For this calculator you need to have some data ready – for instance, how much energy you are consuming and the unit price you pay. Visit the CAB website and search “consumer energy”.
Other help
Personal inflation rate
Another calculator which may be useful gives you your own personal inflation rate – i.e. the effect of inflation on your own spending. This offers an objective percentage figure which you can use to establish whether your bank balance is going to hover above or below zero. The calculator is on the Office for National Statistics website.
Further help from Citizens Advice
Whatever your problem is, volunteers at Citizens Advice are available to help. Call Adviceline on 0808 278 7907 or visit the Citizens Advice website.
