MONEY SAFETY
It’s important to be in control of your money to achieve independence. To control your money and keep your finances safe, consider these tips.
Financial and Budgeting Help Contacts
Secure bank account Make sure you have a bank account that only you can access. Talk to your bank to organise this if needed. To ensure that you are receiving your own income into your bank account, talk to a Centrelink social worker, or your employer. Financial Counselling If you feel overwhelmed by debt, contact a financial counsellor, as soon as you can. Financial counselling is a free and confidential service offered by community organisations, community
bills or fines you're struggling to pay being harassed by debt collectors gas, electricity or phone disconnection being evicted from your house car accidents with no insurance tax debts Needing Financial Support? Contact support services and your bank, who may help with many financial needs such as: support for rental or mortgage payments (see Housing chapter) e mergency relief including food, clothing, sanitary items crisis accommodation property safety upgrades moving or maintaining a tenancy © Australian Securities & Investments
Aboriginal Contact Line - Victim’s Services Centrelink
132 850 to claim for Crisis Payment, or online (other languages 131 202). Hearing or speech impairment 1800 810 586 (TTY phone required). moneysmart.gov.au/managing-debt/financial-coun- selling 1300 371 288 salvationarmy.org.au/need-help/ financial-assistance/ penda-app.com A financial empowerment mobile phone app for women experiencing domestic and family violence 1800 007 007 Free and confidential advice from pro- fessional financial counsellors
Financial Counsellors Moneysmart
Salvation Army – Emergency Relief
Aboriginal Contact Line - Victim’s Services Penda App
National Debt Helpline
Mortgage Stress Handbook, Legal Aid
legalaid.nsw.gov.au/publications
Free Food or Food Banks
search for food on hsnet.nsw.gov.au or askizzy.org.au
legal centres and some government agencies. Financial counsellors are
Budgeting
skilled professionals. They will listen to your problems and help you with things like:
See next page an example of a fortnightly budget to keep track of your expenses. You can copy this and reuse it, or find another budget style that suits your needs. Mobile apps can also be another great way of tracking your expenditure, on the go, on your smart phone.
I control my spending and can balance my budget.
Commission. Reproduced with permission. Moneysmart (n.d.)
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