You have 'credit crunch', but that implies 'money saving tips' etc. You have 'money matters' but again...that's more about getting your monies straight, IMO, things like 'how best to invest' would fit here.
Over the last weeks and months, people have been trying to alert posters to the changes in the welfare state. People have been discussing it, but it's littered all across Chat, AIBU, Lone Parents, SN, etc. It relies on posters happening across the threads.
There is some really useful and completely crucial information out there which is just being swallowed up by Active Convos. Also, I think it's fair to say that because of this, people who know a little about this stuff, and care a lot, are stretching themselves thin by posting on every thread that surfaces, saying similar things.
If there was a more concentrated topic, we could not only answer threads helpfully, but we could even have some specific threads to explain smaller detailed area of Welfare reforms, so that posters can find the answers to their queries in a more coherent way.
As an example, I am an avid reader of Government sites, white papers, decision maker's guides...etc. I have been struggling to pay my Council Tax bill, receiving HB but no CTB. I put in a change of address form, and suddenly 3/4 of my CT bill is reduced due to our income. We should have had this since October 2010 but because I only advised them about our reduced income, and didn't specifically say the words 'could I have a reassessment of our Council Tax benefit please', I have been told it is my fault that for 18 months I have overpaid Council Tax by £90 per month, and am only likely to get 6 month's worth back.
If someone like me can make this mistake, not be aware of the fiddly bits....there could be so many more who should be getting help, but are struggling instead.
MNHQ - I feel so passionately about this. I ignored the Frothers threads because I thought they were just a quiche...I'm not a sheepy type. But these people are trying to help the section of MN who are already on their uppers.
I know that MNHQ is a rich tapestry of posters from all sorts of backgrounds. I know that we won't all agree politically, and one poster's 'inspired tackling of the deficit' will be another poster's 'betraying the poorest in society'. But, I would hope that all posters would agree, as would MNHQ, that if our present Government has set benefits at a level it deems appropriate, then anyone who is in the unenviable position to need such benefits should be allowed to gain the most up to date and relevant information to enable them to maximise their legitimate claim of benefits.
I, for one, had been entitled to help with £90 of my £120 council tax bill. I phoned tens of times to check my awards. The council knew that we were struggling (I paid late twice, only by days, but still late), yet no-one at the Council said...Hmmm you get quite a low income...have you asked about Council Tax Benefit??
We, the posters on this forum, can help each other...please help us 