Free, Unbiased, Independent advice - Money Advice Service

Skip navigation
Cymraeg

FREE · UNBIASED · INDEPENDENT

Life events
- Leaving school or college
  Leaving school or college
  Help and advice on staying on in education, moving into work and paying your own way as a young adult
  - Teenage voices on first financial decisions
    Teenage voices on first financial decisions
    Hear what young people just like you have to say about how they are making their first financial decisions and how they are coping with the pressures and opportunities this brings.
  - Staying on in education
    Staying on in education
    Find out about student loans, bank accounts and how to manage your money when you leave school, become a student and after you graduate.
  - Moving into work
    Moving into work
    Learn about how you’re paid and taxed at work, plus we look at payslip basics
  - Saving and borrowing
    Saving and borrowing
    Get into the savings habit and learn about borrowing and credit basics
  - Independent living
    Independent living
    Advice on the best ways to pay bills, the cost of running a car and more
- Setting up home
  Setting up home
  Deciding whether to rent or buy, working out what you can afford and managing money when sharing with others
  - Renting for the first time
    Renting for the first time
    How much rent can you afford, legal and financial responsibilities, budgeting and sharing costs
  - Buying for the first time
    Buying for the first time
    What will it cost and how much can you afford? Understanding and choosing a mortgage and help for first-time buyers
- Having a baby
  Having a baby
  All things money-related - from bump to birth and beyond
  - Before the birth
    Before the birth
    Sorting out your money before the birth, benefits and entitlements for mums-to-be, plus how much is baby going to cost you?
  - Budgeting for a family
    Budgeting for a family
    How to organise your household budget now that you have less money coming in and more things to spend it on
  - New parents - don't split up over money
    New parents - don't split up over money
    A new baby on the scene can change your relationship and how you manage your money together - here's how to keep things on track
  - Maternity paternity or adoption pay and leave
    Maternity paternity or adoption pay and leave
    Do you qualify for pay and time off while you look after your baby, plus what happens to your pension while you're off work?
  - Benefits and entitlements for families
    Benefits and entitlements for families
    Child Benefit, tax credits, child maintenance and other financial help if you're on a low income or have a disabled child
  - Childcare
    Childcare
    What are your childcare options and how much do they all cost? Childcare vouchers, tax credits and other help you might get
  - Returning to work or study
    Returning to work or study
    Your rights to flexible working and parental leave when you go back to work; financial help if you're going back to college
  - Saving for your child's future
    Saving for your child's future
    Children's savings accounts, Junior ISAs, NS&I bonds for children, Child Trust Fund accounts and saving for school fees or uni
  - Planning to protect your family
    Planning to protect your family
    Review your insurance now you have a baby and make a will to protect your family in the long term
  - Money worries
    Money worries
    Thinking of borrowing money, how to pay less on your credit cards and other loans, plus help if you're struggling with debt
- Losing your job
  Losing your job
  How to get your money under control when faced with redundancy or job loss
  - Redundancy - be prepared
    Redundancy - be prepared
    Managing money if your job is at risk, insuring yourself against redundancy and what to do if you're asked to work reduced hours
  - Your redundancy rights
    Your redundancy rights
    Redundancy advice and your legal rights, what process your employer must follow and how to tell if you've been a victim of unfair dismissal
  - Redundancy payments
    Redundancy payments
    Are you entitled to redundancy pay, how much will you get and will you have to pay tax on it?
  - Benefits and entitlements if you lose your job
    Benefits and entitlements if you lose your job
    Benefits and tax credits you can claim after losing your job, can you claim a tax rebate and what happens to your pension?
  - Budgeting when out of work
    Budgeting when out of work
    Use our out-of-work checklist to stay in control of your finances, plus how to make the most of your redundancy pay
  - Managing debt when out of work
    Managing debt when out of work
    How to review and prioritise your debts, how to start paying it off and where to get help if you're struggling with debt
  - Voluntary redundancy and early retirement
    Voluntary redundancy and early retirement
    Weigh up the pros and cons of voluntary redundancy and early retirement and consider the impact on your finances
  - Help with finding a job
    Help with finding a job
    CV advice, job searching and interview tips; plus where to go if you're thinking of a career change or starting a business
- Becoming ill or disabled
  Becoming ill or disabled
  How to check what you're entitled to, manage your money and handle the extra costs associated with being ill or disabled
  - Managing money if you become ill or disabled
    Managing money if you become ill or disabled
    How to sort out your money and take control of your household budget
  - Disability and sickness benefits
    Disability and sickness benefits
    Make sure you're getting all your entitlements, including sick pay and state benefits
  - Managing the extra costs of illness or disability
    Managing the extra costs of illness or disability
    Support is available to help you meet the costs of your care, any disability aids and adaptations you need, and other costs
  - Managing and paying for your care
    Managing and paying for your care
    If you decide to manage your own personal care budget or employ a care assistant, here's what you need to know
  - Need someone to help you manage your money?
    Need someone to help you manage your money?
    Different arrangements for getting someone else to help you with your money
  - Sorting out money if you're dying
    Sorting out money if you're dying
    Putting your affairs in order and appointing someone formally to help you in the future
- Divorce and separation
  Divorce and separation
  Practical information to help you sort out finances if going through or thinking about divorce or separation
  - Going ahead with divorce or separation
    Going ahead with divorce or separation
    Financial, legal and other considerations when splitting up from your partner
  - Spousal maintenance
    Spousal maintenance
    How spousal maintenance is worked out, for how long and whether to insure payments
  - Children and separation
    Children and separation
    Child maintenance, state entitlements, planning for changes and sorting out children’s savings
  - Your home when you separate
    Your home when you separate
    Your rights regarding the home when you separate from your partner
  - Dividing up what you own
    Dividing up what you own
    Dividing assets fairly – from property, possessions or a business to pets, pensions, investments and inheritances
- Retirement
  Retirement
  As retirement nears there are big decisions to make, such as what kind of annuity to shop around for - we explain it all
- Long-term care
  Long-term care
  Do you qualify for help with care costs? Plus how to choose and fund your own long-term care
  - Funding your long-term care
    Funding your long-term care
    Help through the funding maze - do you qualify for NHS or local authority funding, and what are your self-funding options
  - Local authority funding
    Local authority funding
    Local authority long-term care assessment and means tests and what to do if you disagree with the council's decision
  - Direct payments
    Direct payments
    You've been offered control of your own care budget - here are the pros and cons of managing direct payments to pay for your care
  - Self funding long-term care
    Self funding long-term care
    We review some of your options including annuities, downsizing your home, equity release schemes, and investment bonds
  - Choosing the right care services
    Choosing the right care services
    Help with key decisions - whether to arrange care in your own home or move into care home and how to choose the right one
  - Problems with your care
    Problems with your care
    What to do if you're unhappy with your care, how to complain and appeal and what to do if your money is running out
  - Money advice for carers
    Money advice for carers
    Benefits, tax credits and support services available to carers; plus how to help the person you're caring for with their money
- When someone dies
  When someone dies
  Dealing with money after a death - from paying for the funeral to looking after the paperwork and household finances
  - The first few days after a death
    The first few days after a death
    What to do and who to contact when someone dies, plus arranging and paying for a funeral
  - Dealing with someone's estate
    Dealing with someone's estate
    How to sort out and value someone's estate, including debts, tax, pensions and anything else they may have left
  - Managing money after your partner dies
    Managing money after your partner dies
    Here's how to draw up a budget and get on top of all the bills, bank accounts, benefits and payments for the first time
  - Planning ahead after a bereavement
    Planning ahead after a bereavement
    When you're ready look ahead, find out more about savings and investments, reviewing your pension and revising your will
Managing your money
- Managing your money better
  Managing your money better
  How to take control of your money, make ends meet and make better financial decisions
  - Budgeting and taking control
    Budgeting and taking control
    Budgeting and planning your finances including easy-to-use tools to help you get started
  - Start saving
    Start saving
    Why it pays to save regularly, how to set a savings goal and planning for the longer term
  - Low income survival tips
    Low income survival tips
    Tips and tools to help you find ways to make your money go further each month
  - Should you borrow or save or repay
    Should you borrow or save or repay
    The save or borrow trade-off, why it’s important to clear your debts and what to think about before repaying your mortgage
- How to review or reduce borrowing
  How to review or reduce borrowing
  Tips on cutting the cost of card debt, personal loans, car finance, catalogue or HP agreements and mortgage payments
- Money saving tips
  Money saving tips
  No-nonsense tips to help you save money around the home and when out and about
  - Save on utilities and phone bills
    Save on utilities and phone bills
    Tips and strategies to help you cut costs on water, gas and electricity, home phone, broadband and mobile phone
  - Shop smartly and save
    Shop smartly and save
    Buy for less by comparing deals online - save on your weekly shop, purchases for the home and holidays
  - More ways to save money
    More ways to save money
    Cut down on car and travel costs
- Universal Credit and other benefit changes
  Universal Credit and other benefit changes
  How to get ready for Universal Credit and manage your money better when your benefits are changing
  - Benefit changes
    Benefit changes
    Find out about changes to the benefits system, how they affect you and what action you can take
  - Universal Credit
    Universal Credit
    What is Universal Credit, when will you be affected, and what can you do to get ready for it?
  - Budgeting, benefits and bank accounts
    Budgeting, benefits and bank accounts
    How to budget for a monthly benefit payment and keep on top of your rent, plus how to get the right bank account
  - Help with your benefits
    Help with your benefits
    Where to go if you need help with your benefits, or your benefit payments are cut or reduced or late
  - Help with work and study if you’re disabled
    Help with work and study if you’re disabled
    Your right to take time off, plus adjustments and other support to help you keep working, carry on with your studies or find a job
- Work and money
  Work and money
  Pay, tax and benefits decisions you may have to take at work or when you work for yourself
  - Pay and benefits
    Pay and benefits
    Checking your options for pay, tax and benefits as an employee or agency worker
  - Pensions in the workplace
    Pensions in the workplace
    Preparing for changes to workplace pensions and understanding about tax relief on pension contributions
  - Maternity and paternity rights
    Maternity and paternity rights
    Understanding your childcare options and entitlements to maternity and paternity pay and leave
  - Working for yourself
    Working for yourself
    Checking your options for pay, tax, insurance and pensions as a self-employed person
- Bank accounts and credit or debit cards
  Bank accounts and credit or debit cards
  Choosing and using an account or card, fees to watch out for and how to avoid running up debts
  - Choosing the right account
    Choosing the right account
    Types of bank account and how to choose the right one for you
  - Managing your bank account
    Managing your bank account
    Making and receiving payments, how to use overdrafts wisely, avoiding or dealing with bank charges
  - Travel money or sending money overseas
    Travel money or sending money overseas
    Buying foreign currency, cheap cards to use abroad and choosing the best way to send money overseas
  - Lost accounts
    Lost accounts
    Trace lost bank accounts, lost savings accounts or Premium Bonds
  - Credit and debit cards
    Credit and debit cards
    Credit, debit, store cards and prepaid cards - how to choose the right one, fees and charges and how to avoid running up debts
- Scams and identity theft
  Scams and identity theft
  How to shop safely online, protecting yourself from scams or identify theft and what to do if you're a victim
- Money complaints and compensation
  Money complaints and compensation
  Your rights and how to complain - unfair treatment or mis-selling, financial compensation if your bank or provider goes bust
- Financial help and advice
  Financial help and advice
  Choosing and using a financial adviser and where to get free financial advice
- Help someone else with money
  Help someone else with money
  Formal and informal help including power of attorney, trusts and permanent arrangements
  - Helping others manage money
    Helping others manage money
    Informally helping someone deal with their finances and what to do if you think they need formal help
  - Power of attorney and ongoing help
    Power of attorney and ongoing help
    Options for helping with money when someone can't make their own financial decisions including power of attorney and trusts
  - Problems when helping others with money
    Problems when helping others with money
    Resolving problems when helping someone else or if you're unhappy with an attorney or trustee's actions
- Wills and estate planning
  Wills and estate planning
  Why you need a will, making or changing a will, Inheritance Tax and estate planning
  - Why you need a will
    Why you need a will
    Why it's important to make a will, how to prepare one and what happens if you don't
  - Making or changing a will
    Making or changing a will
    Planning your will - DIY, use a solicitor or will writing service, storing and updating wills
  - Planning your estate
    Planning your estate
    When Inheritance Tax is due on what you leave behind and legal ways to reduce or avoid it
Money topics
- Saving and investing
  Saving and investing
  Planning your saving and investing, popular savings and investments at a glance and how to make the most of what you have
  - How to set a savings goal
    How to set a savings goal
    Find out how saving for a big purchase can help make subsequent payments smaller.
  - Planning your savings
    Planning your savings
    The benefits of saving regularly, how to set a savings goal and prioritising what you save for.
  - Stocks shares ISAs and other popular investments
    Stocks shares ISAs and other popular investments
    Stocks and shares, ISAs, unit trusts, OEICs, gilts, corporate bonds, structured products, investment trusts, more
  - Planning your investments
    Planning your investments
    From investing basics to planning and implementation - all you need to know
  - Endowments and other life insurance investments
    Endowments and other life insurance investments
    Endowments, investment bonds, whole of life, with-profits polices - key features and costs
  - Property investments
    Property investments
    Buy-to-let or indirect property investment through funds - how it works, tax and risk versus reward
  - Put your investment plans into practice
    Put your investment plans into practice
    How to choose and buy savings and investment - DIY options or getting advice
  - Alternative investments
    Alternative investments
    Art, fine wine and other collectibles, withdrawable share capital, spread betting, contracts for difference, hedge funds
  - Choosing where to put your money
    Choosing where to put your money
    Tips for choosing savings and investments, what to think about for a lump sum, toxic or risky investments to avoid
  - Cash savings options
    Cash savings options
    At a glance - savings accounts and savings bonds, Cash ISAs, Credit Union savings, Sharia compliant, Premium Bonds, more
  - Children and saving
    Children and saving
    Children's savings options, getting your kids into the saving habit and saving for your children's school fees
  - Reviewing your savings and investments
    Reviewing your savings and investments
    Why it pays to review your savings and investments each year - and when and how to do it
  - Savings and investments to avoid
    Savings and investments to avoid
    High risk or toxic savings and investment products to be aware of
  - If things go wrong
    If things go wrong
    How to complain about poor service, what happens if your provider goes bust, and when you may be entitled to compensation
- Borrowing money
  Borrowing money
  The right borrowing option depends on how much you want to borrow and how long you need it for
  - Before you borrow money
    Before you borrow money
    Things to do before you borrow - including checking your other options and working out a repayment plan
  - Overdrafts and personal loans
    Overdrafts and personal loans
    How overdrafts and personal loans work and how to avoid paying more than you need to
  - Applying for credit
    Applying for credit
    Checking your credit report, how to improve your credit rating; plus where to go if you've been refused credit
  - Credit cards and store cards
    Credit cards and store cards
    Choosing and applying for a credit or store card, how to use comparison tables, manage your cards and balance transfers
  - Buy now pay later
    Buy now pay later
    In-store finance, catalogue finance and car finance deals - make sure you know the real cost
  - Social Fund and Credit Union loans
    Social Fund and Credit Union loans
    Find out more about credit unions, the Social Fund and Rotating Savings and Credit Associations
  - Staying on top of your borrowing
    Staying on top of your borrowing
    How to avoid high fees and the hidden costs of borrowing, then take action to start reducing your debt
  - Last resort borrowing
    Last resort borrowing
    Doorstep lenders, logbook loans, pawnbrokers, payday loans, second-charge mortgages, Social Fund loans and avoiding loan sharks
  - Problems with borrowing
    Problems with borrowing
    Can't get credit or struggling to meet your repayments? Help is at hand
- Debt management
  Debt management
  How to prioritise and reduce your debts, deal with late payment demands and where to get free debt advice
  - Rearranging debts to cut costs
    Rearranging debts to cut costs
    Review and prioritise your debts and reduce the cost of your card, loans and other borrowing
  - Your credit rating
    Your credit rating
    How your credit rating affects your borrowing costs and how to rebuild a poor credit rating after being in debt
  - If you've been refused credit
    If you've been refused credit
    Why you might be refused credit and what to do next
  - Help if struggling with debt
    Help if struggling with debt
    Where to get free debt advice, debt action plans and other tips to help you get in control
  - Late payment letters and notices
    Late payment letters and notices
    How to deal with CCJs, enforcement notices and late payment demands and where to get free advice
  - Dealing with debt disputes
    Dealing with debt disputes
    Reclaiming unfair charges and where to get legal help if in debt
  - Options for writing off debt
    Options for writing off debt
    What your options are in different parts of the UK
- Homes and mortgages
  Homes and mortgages
  Mortgages and buying property, renting a property or letting out your home - practical, impartial advice
  - Mortgages and buying property
    Mortgages and buying property
    Overall buying costs, choosing an affordable mortgage, Right to Buy and first-time buyer schemes, remortgaging, mortgage problems
    - Interest-only mortgages
      Interest-only mortgages
      Here is our collection of calculators, guides and comparison tables to help you with your interest-only mortgage
    - Buying property - what can you afford?
      Buying property - what can you afford?
      Overall buying and moving costs, money timeline when buying, tips and tools to help you work out what you can afford
    - Understanding mortgages
      Understanding mortgages
      How the different mortgage and interest rate types work, pros and cons and associated fees and costs
    - Choosing the right mortgage
      Choosing the right mortgage
      How to shop around for a mortgage, choosing and using a mortgage broker, understanding mortgage paperwork
    - Affordable housing schemes
      Affordable housing schemes
      Shared ownership, right-to-buy and other new build schemes to help you onto the property ladder
    - Legal aspects of owning property
      Legal aspects of owning property
      Leasehold or freehold – understand the differences and the financial implications
    - Reviewing or moving your mortgage
      Reviewing or moving your mortgage
      Why it pays to review your mortgage regularly, remortgaging to cut costs, further advances and payment holidays
    - Mortgage problems or arrears
      Mortgage problems or arrears
      Advice and help if you can't pay your mortgage or have been threatened with repossession, endowment shortfalls, more
    - Mortgage mis-selling
      Mortgage mis-selling
      What to do if you think you were mis-sold an endowment mortgage or any other type of mortgage
  - Renting a property
    Renting a property
    How much rent can you afford, legal and financial responsibilities when renting, budgeting and sharing costs
  - Letting out your property
    Letting out your property
    Legal and financial responsibilities for landlords and how the Rent a Room scheme works if letting a room in your home
- Insurance
  Insurance
  There's more to buying insurance than finding the cheapest quote - make sure you spend your money wisely
  - New to insurance
    New to insurance
    Not sure what insurance you need? Find out what each type covers, things to watch out for and when to use a broker and when to DIY
  - Home insurance
    Home insurance
    Buildings and contents insurance - do you need it, how to make sure you get the right cover and tips for shopping around
  - Car insurance
    Car insurance
    Choosing the right level of cover, getting the best deal and tips for young drivers
  - Travel insurance
    Travel insurance
    Don't just go for the cheapest travel insurance policy - find out what cover you need and where to get it at the best price
  - Protecting your family or dependants
    Protecting your family or dependants
    Life insurance, critical illness, private medical cover and dental insurance - do you need them and how to get the best policy
  - Protecting your income or borrowing
    Protecting your income or borrowing
    Income protection insurance and payment protection insurance (PPI) - do you need them and what does a good policy look like?
  - Making an insurance claim
    Making an insurance claim
    How to claim, what to do if your claim is rejected and how to complain about an insurance company
  - Pet insurance
    Pet insurance
    Do you need pet insurance and how to make sure you get the right policy
  - Payment protection insurance
    Payment protection insurance
    If you are making a choice about payment protection insurance (PPI), make sure you are fully armed. Find out everything you need to know, right here.
- Pensions and retirement
  Pensions and retirement
  How and when to start saving for a pension, getting the most from your pension fund and managing your money in retirement
  - Saving into a pension for the first time
    Saving into a pension for the first time
    All you need to get started, including a ready reckoner that estimates how much you should be saving each month
  - Types of pension
    Types of pension
    State pension, workplace pensions and personal pensions - an overview of how each works
  - Review the health of your pension savings
    Review the health of your pension savings
    Use our step-by-step guidance to set your retirement income goal and check your progress towards it
  - Pensions and tax
    Pensions and tax
    Tax relief on money you save into your pension, how your pension income is taxed and the lifetime allowance
  - Approaching retirement
    Approaching retirement
    As retirement nears there are big decisions to make, such as what kind of annuity to shop around for - we explain it all
  - Transferring between pension schemes
    Transferring between pension schemes
    How to transfer pensions between providers, for example if you want to merge different pension pots you've built up
  - Managing your finances in retirement
    Managing your finances in retirement
    Retirement can bring significant changes to your income and your outgoings and your entitlement to government benefits
  - Using your home to generate retirement income
    Using your home to generate retirement income
    Whether or not you own your home you can use it to boost your income, for example through equity release or renting a room
  - Automatic enrolment
    Automatic enrolment
    Gradually all employers will be required to save into their workers' pension schemes
  - Benefits and tax in retirement
    Benefits and tax in retirement
    Your State Pension entitlement, Pension Credit if you're on a low income, tax and age-related allowances in retirement
  - Choosing a pension
    Choosing a pension
    Read our top tips for choosing pensions and find out about buying a pension and getting financial advice
  - Events that may affect your pension
    Events that may affect your pension
    Be aware of the possible effects on your pension of events including parenthood, divorce, redundancy and retiring abroad
  - Taking income from your pension
    Taking income from your pension
    We walk you through all the options, including cash lump sums and all the different types of annuity you can buy
  - Getting help with pensions
    Getting help with pensions
    Where to go for advice about pensions, and what to do if you want to complain about a pension provider or adviser
Tools & resources
- Budget planner
  Budget planner
  Use this planner to work out how much money you have coming in and what you're spending it on
- Money Health Check
  Money Health Check
  Join over half a million people who have taken our online Money Health Check and start to make the most of your money today
- Action plans
  Action plans
  Take control of your finances and get motivated to tackle life's money matters by following our action plans.
  - Action plans - Homes and mortgages
    Action plans - Homes and mortgages
    Whether you're looking to rent or buy, get tips and advice on taking the right steps with our action plans.
  - Action plans - Insurance
    Action plans - Insurance
    Find out if you need insurance and solve problems with existing policies using our step-by-step plans.
  - Action plans - Savings and investments
    Action plans - Savings and investments
    Take your first steps towards saving and investing or make the most of existing savings with these simple action plans.
  - Action plans - Pensions
    Action plans - Pensions
    Whether you're being enrolled into a workplace pension for the first time or working out your retirement income, find out all the steps you need to take with our useful action plans.
  - Action plans - Losing your job
    Action plans - Losing your job
    Find out what to do to protect your finances if you have lost your job, or if you think you might be made redundant.
  - Action plans - Having a baby
    Action plans - Having a baby
    Get help and advice with working out the cost of having a baby and find out what you're entitled to both before and after the birth.
  - Action plans - Managing your money
    Action plans - Managing your money
    Take control of your finances and follow simple steps towards managing your money with our action plans.
  - Action plans - Managing on a low income
    Action plans - Managing on a low income
    Take simple steps to make ends meet when you're on a tight budget and make your money go further with these action plans.
  - Action plans - Managing your bank account
    Action plans - Managing your bank account
    Check if your bank account is right for you, find out more about Universal Credit and learn how to open your first account with our action plans.
- Calculators
  Calculators
  Our easy-to-use calculators can help you budget, save and cut back on costs
- Comparison tables
  Comparison tables
  Use our impartial comparison tables to search for credit cards, mortgages and savings accounts
- Letter templates
  Letter templates
  Our easy-to-use letter templates are here to help you if you need to set up, cancel or complain about something
- Order forms
  Order forms
  Use these forms to order our free printed guides, which give you clear, unbiased information and advice in Plain English
- Free printed guides
  Free printed guides
  Read our free printed guides, which give you clear, unbiased information and advice in Plain English
- Videos
  Videos
  See our videos, covering subjects such as insurance, retirement savings and inflation
- Workplace pension advice tool
  Workplace pension advice tool
  Workplace pensions are changing. Use our tool to see if saving in a workplace pension is right for you
- Interactive timelines
  Interactive timelines
  Explore our money timelines so you know the actions to take and things that could affect your income
News & features

Payday loans advice

Don’t be tempted by fast cash – use our online tool to find a cheaper, less risky alternative.

Start now > >

Ready for a rainy day?

Don’t be caught out by unexpected costs. Save just £3 a day to soften the blow.

Sign up for our free newsletter