Winter wellbeing: looking after your finances

This week's blog, the final in our 'Winter wellbeing' series, focuses on financial wellbeing.

Over recent years, the cost of living in the UK has increased significantly, and the winter period can be a particularly challenging time financially.

Support is available from several organisations, including the Mental Health and Money Advice Service, which offers a range of information and guidance. 

If you’re finding it difficult to manage your finances or reduce debt, you might also find it useful to: 

• Develop a budget planner for the year - Citizens Advice, Money Saving Expert, and MoneyHelper have useful guides to help you get started with budgeting.
• Check to see if you're eligible for government or local council support by visiting Citizens Advice, Turn2Us or your local council website.
• Reach out to the National Debtline on 0808 808 4000. They offer free, impartial debt advice and support. You can also use the webchat function on their website.
• Contact Vetlife, who also offer financial support to veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and their dependents in the UK. 

Ways to save money on everyday bills 

Daily life is expensive, but there are a few things you can do to make sure you’re saving as much as you can on general outgoings. 

• Find out if you are eligible for tax relief on your professional subscriptions (for example, RCVS registration fees). 
• If you live in England and have, or expect to have,  several prescriptions each year, it may be worth talking to a pharmacist about an NHS prescription pre-payment certificate, which may allow you to save money. These typically cost £32.05 for three months or £114.50 for 12 months. Prescriptions in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are free. 
• Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for a range of government, employment and NHS support schemes that can support you with advice and benefits, including free prescriptions and childcare costs. To find out more, visit the government website or Citizens Advice. 
• If you travel by train, it's worth checking your eligibility for a Railcard too, which can typically save you a third off rail fares. 
• You might also want to look for warm spaces near you - places where you can spend time without having to pay for heating or energy. See our previous ‘Be weather ready’ blog for more details on energy saving. 

Pensions and retirement 

As well as managing day-to-day finances, it's useful to plan and budget for retirement. 

• If you need support with your pension, MoneyHelper offer free and impartial information.  
• You might also want to contact your own pension provider or see what support is available in your workplace. 
  For further information on the state pension, check out the government website. 

Help with funding reasonable adjustments in education and the workplace 

• The Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) helps UK-based university students cover extra disability-related study costs that go beyond the reasonable adjustments provided by their university or college. DSA is not means-tested and usually does not need to be repaid. Find out more at Save the Student. 
• The Access to Work scheme supports people with physical or mental health conditions or disabilities to obtain a job or stay in employment. The scheme is not means-tested, does not need to be paid back, and will not impact other benefits you might receive. To find out more visit the government website.