Budget Advice “not just a crisis service”
Golden Bay’s budget advisor Abby Stephens. Photo: Neil Wilson.
Budget advisor Abby Stephens says “There’s always a way.”
“When things are tight financially there are fairly simple strategies that anyone can use to negotiate their way out of difficulty.”
Budget Advice is one of the services offered by the Golden Bay Community Workers. It is free, confidential, non-judgemental and available to anyone who asks for it. Abby can also make the service mobile if necessary. Most people refer themselves to the service, but other agencies may suggest it to clients too.
Abby says that it does not have to be crisis service and that it’s not necessary to wait until people are banging on your door and demanding to be paid. “Our service can be useful for everyone, not just people who are having trouble with their finances.”
The involvement of the service is seen as a good thing by people and agencies who are owed money. “There’s always a sense of reassurance when Budget Advice is involved with a client. The people who are owed money know that the client is being proactive and open and that makes it more likely that the debts will be cleared.”
When a client arrives at the Community Centre to meet with Abby for the first time, a simple process begins.
“The client and I work together to get a clear picture of what’s coming in and what’s going out. We create a budget with the specific objective of getting the client to be debt-free in a reasonable time. I encourage everyone to put a little bit aside each week for a treat or an emergency.”
There are some things that everyone can do to help them to manage their money, says Abby.
“Don’t go to the supermarket hungry, and make sure you have a list so you avoid impulse buying. Watch your credit card use; it can get out of control quite quickly. Check around the major companies you deal with like insurance, power and phone companies. Make sure you’re getting the best deal they have and if you get a better offer, consider changing.”
Abby says that, while people are understandably embarrassed to talk about having money worries, communication is the way forward.
“If you owe money to someone, get in touch and let them know you’re going to pay. Most organisations are really good when they know you’re working on the situation.”
Abby says that housing is at the heart of some people’s financial worries.
“When you’re renting, the set-up costs can be substantial. There’s the two-week bond, the two-to-four weeks’ rent in advance and the fee to the agent. That can come to $1500-2000, and that’s a lot of money up front. There aren’t many choices for renters either. I’ve had clients living in pretty unsuitable places. If they’re way out of town, that can add to their expenses and their sense of isolation.”
The Budget Advice service is satisfying work, says Abby, because it can lead to really positive outcomes for people.
“Everyone knows what it’s like to be in need a bit of advice. It’s really rewarding to be involved in a process that makes such a positive difference.”
Neil Wilson
