What small things make a big difference when life changes? Tell Money Advice Service for a chance to win a £300 Love2Shop voucher NOW CLOSED

[AngelieMumsnet]

Money Advice Service would like to find out what small things make a big difference to Mumsnetters when they go through big changes in life.

Money Advice Service Say "Life is full of unexpected changes, but sometimes we're not prepared for how they might impact our money. More than one in six working families would receive little or no help from the state and see their income drop by a third, if the main earner became unable to work."
"Here at Money Advice Service, we help people manage their money by providing free and impartial advice. We're really interested to know what Mumsnetters find helpful when going through changes in their lives."

So, what have you found helpful when going through significant changes in your life? Maybe you've found having savings particularly helpful when going through career changes? Or perhaps you find it reassuring to know that you have protection insurance? Maybe it's as simple as knowing you have someone in your life who can support you if you're going through a difficult time?

Whatever small things that make a difference to you when life changes, Money Advice Service would love to hear about it.

For more information on securing your financial future, check out this Money Advice Service guide.

Everyone who adds a comment will be entered in to a prize draw where one Mumsnetter will win a £300 Love2Shop voucher*.

Thanks,
MNHQ

*Provided by MNHQ

Just the ability to talk with someone without being judged - you make decisions for the future based on incomplete knowledge and "best guess", yet others look at things with hindsight.

I got in a little pickle when I was on maternity leave with No1, hadn't quite got the hang on having less income. Learned a quick lesson though, budgeted monthly to pay off my credit card bill when I went back to work and after that continued to save that amount of money. Left me in a much better position when I was on maternity leave second time round. I am much more disciplined now about putting money away on a regular basis.

Some of these posts have made me well up.

We actually earn good money but have debts and childcare costs.

Dh and I have a little savings that are dipped into on a regular basis. I am a skinflint by nature!

We shop in Aldi
Bring lunch to work daily
Bring lunch and snacks when out and about as a family
I only eat out on occasions
I only buy hot drinks when meeting a friend -"few times a year
I have not bought a newspaper or magazine for over 6 years - look online
I buy footwear in the sales and cannot recall the last time I spent more than £20 on even boots! Some are not leather but comfortable. I never wear the same shoes two days running. Our dc only wear leather.

My indulges are Mac foundation. I also stay slim which makes my not so expensive clothes hang better.

Some days I am very down, resentful, envious of others who are comfortable , but things will change soon.

I am a single mum so it gives me great comfort to have savings that could support us for a while. I also have life/sickness insurance so that if I fell ill while my income would drop I would still have enough to live. And if the worst should happen I know my daughter would receive enough to buy a house when old enough xx

The luxury of time i think is most important when life changes. Some time without the constant distractions of life - kids, work etc. Time to sit down and really think, to make important decisions.

As my husband and i are both full time students (although i work 20 hours a week too but on a very good wage) we know we rely on the child tax credit for weekly top up shops.
For some reason although we now fall into the bracket to receive it since i started full time and cut my hours, each time we phone them to tell them our wage has reduced they reassess us and take more money off us, we are currently waiting to be dropped a further £25 (from 54) even though my husband has just finished work and is now a full time student without a job.
So we are about to feel the pinch again thanks to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

With so many uncertainty in life and just right now is good to that pot of savings as without it life really would be a struggle

We are quite old fashioned with our money and attitudes towards it, we save for things we want, and if we can't afford it, we go without. We don't get into debt for Xmas, and sell anything we no longer use!

We've got long-term and short-term savings accounts which does provide peace of mind. But I've always thought that if we were in dire need then our families would help out in any way they could, whether financial or otherwise.

I haven't been in a difficult situation to date but know the worse thing would be to keep things to myself. Always look for help, whether that be my family, friends or citizens advise etc. I just hope my pride would not get in the way.
Whilst we do have some savings and equity in our house , you can never know what is around the corner or what impact it will have on your daily lives.

When things were tight for us my DH spent a lot of time reading financial websites like moneysavingexpert and using the information to make life better for us. There is a lot of help out there and plenty of useful tips.

The CAB were great when we faced a major change. They were so knowledgeable and took such a weight off our shoulders.

We've done it all backwards, first came baby, then came flat, then came another baby, then marriage, then a house! We have always been very careful with money mostly through necessity that choice. Budget, budget, budget! We are lucky enough to have the use of my parents caravan for all our family holidays, couldn't afford a holiday otherwise. I also plan all meals, use online shopping and stick to it, of course cooking from scratch is always more economical. Other than that we spend a lot of quality family time walking the dog, playing games, arts and crafts. Selling on un-wanted toys, games, clothes especially when the children were younger saw me through the lean times too!

I'd rely heavily on family support. It's reassuring to know no matter what happens, my parents and siblings will help me out.

Financially we have savings. It's a great comfort to know it's there. More importantly I have great friends and family who I know will always be there for me which is priceless.

As several people have said already, having some savings is a big deal in our household. It helps to knwo that we would be able to keep things going for a few months of things changed unexpectedly.

Having had some mahhhooosive life changes I absolutely can say its friends,my friends have supported me emotionally,practically by filling my cupboards,feeding us when i was too ill to care,being firm with me,even holding my hand in public when i ridiculously was scared, friends that I never really expected came up for me and have helped in all sorts of unexpected ways- Ive had my children driven around,clothed in clothes I could never afford,offers of money came in at all angles when i was facing a crisis and lastly I was in court for a serious thing and ive never felt so alone but one look in the gallerys seats and to see my friends there (unexpectedly) backing me and supporting me means im totally blessed.

We have less saved than I would like, but I know if we were struggling we have family that would help us, luckily we haven't had a major crisis (touch wood)

Family will always help us out.

For us it's having good savings, mortgage insurance and income protection and above all having strong faith that has helped us and will continue to help us

I am very careful with money, having had a previous experience of finding myself in a precarious position financially, now I keep a record of everything that I spend so that I always know exactly what I have available, I also try to keep some money spare so that if I have an emergency I can deal with it.

I also have learned not to bury my head in the sand and ask for help if needed

I recently separated from dh & two close friends have been amazing. Money wise citizens bureau - I couldn't have understood any of this without them

Friends. I was being bullied and harrassed at work. This included refusing to give me a reference for the new job of my choice. A friend-a manager in another field of work- not only helped with a grievance but also hired me for a while . It kept the wolf from the door and I was never unemployed.
Getting a job has always been who you know.