How can I keep track of my finances?

Knowing how much you spend and what you buy is the key to being in control of your money. There are a number of ways you can do this and it’s worth spending a bit of time working out which way suits you best.

Make a budget Keep a daily record of what you buy and how much you spend. Sometimes it's the small items that we buy that cost more than we think. Why not use our useful budgeting form to see where your money goes each week / month? You can download a copy at the bottom of this page, or why not fill it out online? (link to online form) Review your payments Review your regular payments by Direct Debit or Standing Order. Usually these are the best methods to pay ongoing costs, but better deals may have emerged since you originally set these up. You can check the latest offers on the many comparison websites such as the Financial Services Authority’s Money Made Clear

Get help with water and energy bills

If you’re struggling to pay water or energy bills, you may be able to get help. The Yorkshire Water Community Trust helps customers who are in serious debt and are behind with paying their water service charges.

The British Gas Energy Trust website provides grants to help people who are behind with their energy charges and other household bills.

Check you’re getting the right benefit

If you’re unsure whether you might qualify for extra help, you can read more about how to claim housing and council tax benefit on Sheffield Council’s website.
You can also access an on-line benefits calculator to get an estimate of how much housing and council tax benefit you may be entitled to.
You can check to ensure you are getting the right amount of benefit and tax credits by visiting the Entitledto website and using the free online calculator.

You can also get information from the Department of Work and Pensions and HM Revenue and Customs website

Find out about cheap things to do in your free time Putting a limit on your spending need not stop you being able to enjoy some leisure time. There are many local events in Sheffield that don’t come with a high price tag. You will find details of these on The Event Sheffield website. Make sure you know the costs of setting up home If you’re thinking about setting up home for the first time, why not read our handy leaflet The True Cost of Independent Living? It helps you understand the different costs associated with living on your own and will help you work out whether your own place is something you can afford. You can download a copy at the bottom of this page.