‘Budget not blues’ campaign launches to help improve your budgeting in January 2024 – CAP
Money coaching charity, Christians Against Poverty (CAP) has launched their ‘Budget Not Blues’ campaign this January to help people swap the January blues for budgeting success.
The charity that has helped people to find millions of pounds of extra income in 2023 and supports thousands out of debt highlights ways you can improve your finances.
Over 1000 money coaches have been trained to run new, free money coaching sessions in local communities across the UK in 2024.
CAP’s money coaching expert, Peter Snell, says, “January is often a time when we all feel a bit blue. The weather is cold, energy bills are on the rise again and money for a lot of people is tight at this time of year, but there are simple steps we can all take to turn our January blues into budgeting success!”
“At Christians Against Poverty we are determined to help people in local communities across the UK to improve their finances. We do this by offering free money coaching sessions, run through local churches. And in addition we also provide free debt help, job clubs and life skills groups.
“This January we are launching the budget not blues campaign and releasing free resources to people and encouraging everyone to make it their New Year’s Resolution to use our free tools to create themselves a personal budget and follow our five simple steps to improve their finances in 2024.”
Create a personal budget
A personal budget can be the key that unlocks the knowledge you need about your personal finances that you can then use to make positive changes. Download and print off CAP’s budgeting guide at capuk.org/budgeting to create your own personal budget.
Balance your budget
The next step is to see if your budget balances, which means to check you aren’t spending more money than you have coming in. Consider what you can cut back on, cut cost on by finding a cheaper alternative or what non essentials you can cut out completely to help you try and avoid living in your overdraft or falling into debt.
Maximise your income
The third step is to make sure you are maximising your income. Even if you’re in work, it’s always worth checking if you’re missing out on any benefits income that you are entitled to. Do a quick, free 10 minute check at capuk.org/calculator. A local CAP job club is also a friendly and relaxed way to grow your confidence and skills if you’re looking to get back into employment.
Seek free debt help (if required)
If you are already in debt that you’re struggling to manage and you’re finding it challenging to pay back what you owe then seek free debt advice. Visit the moneyhelper.org.uk website for a range of support.
Attend a free money coaching session in your area
The final step is to attend money coaching in your local area and take your budgeting skills to a whole new level! Money coaching is usually run over three short sessions and is taking place in communities across the UK in January and throughout 2024. To find out when money coaching is taking place near you and for more information on all CAP’s free services, visit: capuk.org/gethelp.
