Money makes the world go around!

By Kate

Some tips if you’ve got money problems

If money is an issue in your relationship here are some simple ideas to make some progress forward:

• Talk! Be honest about your own actions and attitudes. Share with each other what your concerns are. Try to find common ground so you’re facing any problems together.
• If you’ve got a problem over-spending, talk it through and face it together. Seek help.
• If you have outstanding debts, talk to the body concerned. The water boards, the electricity company etc are usually willing to help you reschedule your payments. The bank may be able to arrange a temporary overdraft. Deal with the problem as soon as it develops. Don’t hope it will just go away. Identify the essentials from the luxuries and reduce your expenditure.
• Try and find a friend who can show you how to keep simple accounts and plan a budget. Your local library may have some simple books to help.
• Talk to your local Citizens Advice Bureau or bank manager, if you need more advice.
• Talk to an Independant Financial Advisor to help you plan the big items like mortgages and insurances.
• If you can’t control your spending, send your credit cards back and live without them.
• Remember, talk to each other. Face it together. Then you can hold each other accountable and help avoid temptation, secure in the knowledge you are loved and accepted.