You can use a budgeting tool, spreadsheet or just pen and paper to get started. Note down everything that comes in and out of your account, including any benefits, tax credit or pension income, as well as bills and expenses. Try and be as honest and detailed as you can.

Use your bank statements (online or on paper), or your transaction information to help. Most current accounts have an app or internet banking where you can access your spending history. You can also check for any scheduled or recurring payments to see any direct debits or standing orders. If you find any recurring payments you don't recognise, try an internet search of the payment or company name to find out what the payment is for, to make sure you don't cancel any important payments.

If you normally use cash for your spending, you’ll need to keep your receipts and use those. 

Think about splitting your spending into different categories, like essential bills, household spending, groceries or eating out. 

Organisations like Citizens Advice and MoneyHelper have detailed budgeting tools that can help you with this.

If you would like some help to access your spending digitally, or using online budgeting tools, we've partnered with digital support charity Citizens Online, so that all Triodos Bank UK customers can access free, one-to-one telephone support with a Digital Champion, at a time that suits you. Find out more here.

Ideally, you'll be spending less than you earn each month. We’re sorry to say this might be where you can see most clearly where increases in prices for day to day spending and energy costs are impacting what you’re spending every month. If your income has changed, is low or has been reduced due to a change in circumstances, it's worth checking to see if you're entitled to any benefits. If you're struggling with bills and payments, MoneyHelper has advice and tools to help with this: Help with bills and payments | MoneyHelper

If you're spending more than you would like, or want to build up your savings, see if there's anywhere you can reduce your outgoings. Try to highlight those items of spending which are essential, and any items where you could reduce or remove the cost. This might include shopping around for savings or offers, thinking about your shopping habits, or deciding a fixed amount to spend on non-essential items to reduce your spending.

If you find any recurring payments you don't recognise, don't cancel them straight away. Try an internet search of the payment or company name first, to make sure you're not cancelling any important payments.

Organising your spending can help to keep track of your money. It can be easier to pay your bills by Direct Debit so your essential outgoings are covered. Setting these up near payday makes it easier to see how much you have left to spend. You could also consider setting up a separate bank account to cover your regular payments, such as mortgage, rent or bills. This can help separate your 'essential' money from your 'spending' money, which you could keep in another account. 

If you have a spending goal in mind, or are trying to build up your savings, have a think about how you can meet these goals.

Are there any sums you owe (for example, credit card debit balances or small loans) where you have savings which would allow you to pay them off now? The interest you accrue on debts like this is often significantly higher than the interest you receive on savings, so it can be worthwhile paying those debts off. 
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so you know what you’re normally paying and when. It can help to do this as a household if you share expenses with anyone else.

Make a list of all the companies you pay, when and how much you normally pay.

Think about household bills (like energy, water, internet, mortage or rent, council tax), subscriptions (like TV or streaming services, gym membership, recurring deliveries), financial products (like insurance, bank charges or credit cards) and anything else that's relevant for you. This advice is mostly looking at bills, but you may want to include other costs like living costs, food and transport.

Reviewing this list might help you find any goods or services you don’t need right now and can cancel, like a streaming service you don't use very often, but remember some bills are essential and should be prioritised - visit MoneyHelper for advice on this. If you find a regular payment to a company you don't recognise, try an internet search to find the company before making any changes, to make sure you're not cancelling an important payment. 

If you're not sure how to review your bills online, we've partnered with digital support charity Citizens Online, so that all Triodos Bank UK customers can access free, one-to-one telephone support with a Digital Champion, at a time that suits you. Find out more here.

Many costs have gone up recently, but it's worth checking through to see if there have been any unexpected increases. If so, you might need to contact the company involved and find out why the bill has gone up. As so much is paperless now, many of us are used to just looking at our outgoing payments. Take a moment to check every bill you receive online to make sure you are only being charged what you were expecting.

Try to highlight any bills where you are on a reduced cost or fixed contract, and set yourself a reminder to review them before the deal ends. You might automatically be moved onto a more expensive option when your offer or contract ends, but you may be able to get a better price by contacting the company, or shopping around and switching to a different provider.

Some suppliers will have a period towards the end of your contract where you can take out a new offer before your current contract or fixed term ends, like mortgage providers or energy suppliers. Check with your existing supplier to find out if this applies to you. If your contract has expired already, check with your supplier to see if a better option is available, and consider shopping around - you may be able to find a better deal for new customers. Price comparison websites can help with this, but you can also check with the company directly, through their website or by talking to someone.

You can often pay by direct debit, internet banking or over the phone. If possible, you might find it easier to make all of your payments from the same account so you can see your outgoing costs in one place. You could also consider having a separate bank account to cover all of your bills and essential spending.

If possible, it might help to have most payments going out on the same day you are paid, so you know how much is left for the rest of the month.

If you are worried about paying any of your bills, speak to the company or provider involved. They can offer guidance on anything they can do to help you. MoneyHelper has a useful online tool for helping you to prioritise your bills - Help with bills and payments | MoneyHelper

This will allow you to assess your income and spending for the immediate future, and whether any redundancy, retirement or pay package, or any savings will cover what you need. We know it’s hard, but it might also help you identify any items you can cancel or do without.

This should help you feel more in control with a spending plan in place for the 6 – 12 months ahead. Organisations like Citizens Advice and MoneyHelper have detailed budgeting tools that can help you with this.

If your income has changed, you may be eligible for benefits like Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA), or other support if you're unable to work. Check the Government website for guidance on different benefits and eligibility.

Consider consulting your employer’s trade union or employee representative. Citizens Advice might be able to provide some immediate guidance on your employment rights. It might be worth consulting the Government website on work and pensions, or an employment specialist website like ACAS - Acas | Making working life better for everyone in Britain.

Focus on updating your CV, and planning your job search – consider job websites, recruitment agencies, social media, companies’ own websites, newspapers and magazines.
Send out your applications and prepare for your interviews.

These situations can be overwhelming – try to talk to someone about anything you’re struggling with (a family member, close friend, or healthcare professional). Try to make sure you eat properly and get enough exercise and sleep (we know it’s easier said than done).

If you're worried about money and struggling with your mental health, organisations like Mental Health & Money Advice can offer advice, support and further resources.