As a Volunteer Budget Advisor, I act as a free source of advice to many clients who are finding it difficult or impossible to make ends meet. There is not always an easy solution, but independent advice can often provide a solution. If the weekly budget is in deficit, there are only 2 possible solutions – either increase income or decrease spending. But there are many ways to achieve the right end result – why not talk it over before the debts become unmanageable? Just phone the local Budget Service – they are listed in the phone directory!
[The national body to which most budgeting services belong is the NZ Federation of Family Budgeting Services Inc. According to their website (www.familybudgeting.org.nz) the Federation has 148 member organisations with about 1200 mostly volunteer staff who field 280,000 inquiries each year (one call a minute!). Last year 28,000 clients saw a Federation budget adviser and more than 17,000 families were provided with help. – Oily Rag Ed’]