This information is to encourage us all to get talking about money and to let you know about the support available and where to get help both online and across the city.
The effect of the pandemic and the rise in cost of living has made it more important than ever to start conversations about money. Building money conversations into our everyday lives also helps us to be more financially confident, resilient and face whatever the future throws at us.
Get hints, tips, advice, support and much more.
You will:
The 'Worrying About Money' guide has been put together with the Food Aid Network and City of York Council.
There are two versions available.
Open the online 'Worrying About Money?' guide
You will be able to pick up a paper copy in libraries and community venues around the city.
If you would like a supply of the guide for your venue or organisation please email wbpartnerships@york.gov.uk.
Would you like to feel more in control of your finances?
The MoneyHelper’s free and flexible nine-week plan will help you build your confidence to manage your money. Weekly steps and helpful tools can help you cut your spending, develop core saving muscles, and create better habits for a long-term cash confident future.
Are you up for the Couch to Financial Fitness challenge?
Find out about this and about making the most of your money at
or watch the introduction to Couch to Financial Fitness video
There are a range of benefits people can apply for to support them in different circumstances. Some benefits are administered by local authorities and some are administered by central government.
Use a free independent benefits calculator to find out:
Or visit the City of York Council benefits page.
Make sure you’re on the right step - Take the Quids In Future-Proof Finance Quiz
So just how good are you with money? We're challenging you to take the Quids in Mega Money Quiz and find out!
York Learning offers courses and programmes to help you get into work or support you whilst in work.
The Daily Jobseeker is updated regularly with useful information for job seekers including CV tips, advice from recruitment experts and interview tips
Download our York Apprenticeship Guide for more information about apprenticeships. If you're already in employment, you could do an apprenticeship as part of your professional development
Sign up to receive the weekly York apprenticeships bulletin, which gives information about vacancies and events across the city.
You can use Live Well York to discover hundreds of local groups and activities and find out what events are happening across York, many of which are low cost.
Can you eat healthily and save money? You bet your bottom dollar you can! Here are 20 tips to help you have your (low-fat) cake and eat it.
Get the family involved and make tasty meals from scratch with Cook Together. Join Change4Life to receive support to:
Every week for 4 weeks you will get 2 healthy recipes – with videos, easy-to-follow instructions and a shopping list of everything you'll need – straight to your inbox.
Look no further than the welcoming food clubs in your area.
Use this website for details of regular cafes, drop-ins, food banks and other food projects.
Choose food to search for activities or services & products.
And see our growing list of entries under 'Community Food Help'.
Get help to buy food and milk - Healthy Start
If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.
If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. This card will be automatically topped up every 4 weeks with your payment.
To find out if you are eligible and to apply visit www.healthystart.nhs.uk
Free School Meals
You may be entitled to apply for free school meals for your children if you receive income-related benefits. Check if you are eligible
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme
The sessions are currently running during school holidays. They include a variety of fun activities, including sports, music, arts and other exciting opportunities to learn and develop skills, alongside a nutritious meal each day. More information
Saving smaller, regular amounts is often more effective than saving larger amounts now and again. This is because you get into the savings habit, and you’re not overcommitting too much money. It also lets you budget your spending from week to week or month to month more effectively.
If this isn’t possible, save what you can as regularly as you can. Every bit makes a big difference.
Setting a savings goal is a great way to watch your savings grow.
Find out where to start and what a suitable savings goal is for you.
The Help to Save scheme was launched to help low-income earners. It pays a 50% bonus on the amount saved, up to a maximum of £1,200 over four years – here's how the account works.
Credit unions are financial co-operatives that offer a safe and secure place for people to save and borrow. Credit unions encourage members to save regularly, provide loans at low rates, and help members in need of financial advice and assistance.
Over 310,000 households in the UK use illegal money lenders every year. People may borrow because they have a poor credit history; are newly arrived in the UK; believe they can’t get a loan from a mainstream legal credit provider or more commonly just believe they are borrowing from a friend or colleague.
Find out how to spot a Loan Shark
If you have borrowed from a loan shark or are worried about someone else, contact the Illegal Money Lending Team. Stop Loans Sharks are here to help and keep you safe.
Illegal Money Lending Team also use proceeds of crime money as an incentive to encourage people to save, and to raise awareness of the dangers of borrowing from illegal money lenders.
Open a Community First Credit Union savings account today
York residents may be able to receive a £25 savings bonus through the proceeds of crime scheme
Here are some handy tips to help you when you borrow money, take out a loan or use credit cards:
Learning how mental health and money are connected might help if you're struggling. Sorting things out might feel like an overwhelming task. And lots of things may be out of your control. But try taking things one step at a time. The tips on this page are to help you get started.
For many people gambling is a fun form of entertainment, but it can easily become a problem. Are you:
If you are not sure how much gambling has become a problem for you, find out how much of an impact gambling is having in your life.
If you need any help to get started and feel more confident about managing your money, get good information and advice
If you need to talk to someone about money but aren’t sure how it will go, the How to talk about money guide will help you get started.
It includes tips on how to get a good outcome, share money goals and what to do if you think the conversation may be tricky or it doesn’t go as planned.
Join the conversation
Follow on FB Twitter….. #YorkTalkMoney
More Useful Resources (including downloadable leaflets):
Making the most of your money (Money Helper)
Credit Unions and other alternatives to payday loans (Money Helper)
Fee-free basic bank accounts (Money Helper)
How to talk about money (Money Helper)
How to save money and use less energy (Ofgem)
Benefits: If you are disabled and working age (Welfare Benefits Unit)
Benefits: For people over State Pension age (Welfare Benefits Unit)
Benefits Checklist (Welfare Benefits Unit)