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MNHQ

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

273 replies

AngelieMumsnet · 11/09/2015 13:42

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

OP posts:
Cailin7 · 16/09/2015 20:27

Family and positivity make all the difference. We have a strong family who look out for each other. It is sometimes difficult but there is always someone worse off than you no matter how bad things seem at the time.

Marg2k8 · 16/09/2015 20:30

The little things that help are little things like friends offering to give you a lift somewhere if you haven't got a car.

mizu · 16/09/2015 20:36

Family buying a few bits for us. I remember being skint and mum used to sometimes pop in with a bag of 'bits' like a bag of apples, nice bread, chocolate for the kids.

Just felt nice.

pusinky · 16/09/2015 20:40

Friends and family to help when needed. Being honest with your better half.

alsproject · 16/09/2015 20:41

We have some savings put aside and have been learning to cook stuff from scratch so are making our wages go a lot further

BellaWella86 · 16/09/2015 20:49

When we had DD, I found it really hard to go back to work after maternity leave finished. We were renting at the time and wasn't able to save any money on Maternity Allowance. By me going back, we were able to save a healthy sum quickly and bought a house 1 1/2 years later with some money leftover for furniture.

stefalfie11 · 16/09/2015 20:56

Savings is my definite comfort. Nothing better than knowing that you've got an emergency fund for whatever life throws at you.

pennwood · 16/09/2015 21:12

We were brought up to save, & taught how to budget wisely. Over paying on the mortgage when we could means it was paid off early so giving piece of mind. Fortunately, we have always managed to pace ourselves ok.

Alanna1 · 16/09/2015 21:12

Savings.
Plus, I wish it was easier to access good financial advice at reasonable cost. I find independent financial advisers both expensive and hard to choose. I wish they would charge a flat fee rather than a percentage. I find everything around talking about money hard - I wish there was a government advice service like a GP!

Maclairey · 16/09/2015 21:17

DH's parents would help us if we were really stuck, we have a small amount of savings but not a huge amount. We have just paid off our credit card debt though which I know gives my dh peace of mind.

jayz268 · 16/09/2015 21:37

Watching the pennies. It really focuses me and means I don't need to watch the pounds.

rachelkanga · 16/09/2015 21:49

Not sure where I would turn, my family have never had any spare money, my DH father recently died therefore mother-in-law now relies on one pension. We live within our means just, no savings although mortgage is protected. DH has life insurance but I don't but I have death in service clause in pension

hanarees · 16/09/2015 21:50

While I would always like to be independent and pay my own way I always know that my mum would help me out if I needed to borrow money. This just takes the weight off your mind when you can have unexpected payouts - such as the car going wrong!

wileyfox · 16/09/2015 22:06

sell what you don't need on Ebay, you will be surprised how much you can make on unwanted items

littleme96 · 16/09/2015 22:06

Savings make me feel like I have a bit of a safety net and we are working on increasing them, although it's difficult when trying to do up a house too. Also a little bit of cash in case of bank cards not working or being unable to access accounts.

Insurances also give me piece of mind - as we only have one wage coming in, mortgage protection insurance is something that provides a little reassurance.

In addition to that I would say a small store cupboard with a stock of food and toiletries makes me feel that we would be able to have food at times of need. Lastly, just someone that you can vent to when times get tough. A listening ear can really help sometimes.

compy99 · 16/09/2015 22:10

we have always had a small emergency fund set aside, life is hard enough without adding financial worries. It makes a difference knowing that we have this small amount, however, if we have to dip in to it we wouldn't now be in a position to replace it. so we are careful and now it isn't the material things that are so important, but the simpler things that make such a difference, a loving, healthy and happy family is all that matters.

KittyKat88 · 16/09/2015 22:36

I'm lucky to have a hard working DH who has supported me and our 2 DDs for the past 5 years. I am now in a position to return to work but our income is still quite low and will be for the next year or two until DD2 is in full time school. We were fortunate to have received a PPI payout last year which has enabled us to clear all debts (except our mortgage) but we have no other safety net otherwise. Only my mother would be able to help us out financially if we were in dire need, and thankfully I know she would if push came to shove!

NoisyOyster · 16/09/2015 22:47

When times change it's all too easy to scrimp and save and worry and live in a grey world.

Take the time to try and find ways to still have "treats" to bring colour still into your life; from long blustery autumn walks and then heading home to snuggle under blankets with hot chocolate; join the library (free) and listen your way through their audiobooks or read the latest bestseller; sell old DVDs / books online or at a charity shop and use the spare pounds to have a meal out, even if pizza express with all the family.

You can't be strict all the time Smile

lhlee62 · 16/09/2015 22:54

I feel glad that I have life insurance in place, I have a higher risk job as I'm a police officer so I'm insured just in case. I cannot risk leaving my husband and two daughters in financial difficulty if something happens it would be hard enough to deal with losing a parent and partner.

emella · 16/09/2015 23:17

Always paying months in advance for bills means I can put it to one side for a while. Receiving little samples of products from companies is always nice! I've saved for years so there is always a reserve for if anything were to happen unexpectedly. Never having any debt! Just always making sure to be careful :)

Funkyferret · 16/09/2015 23:18

We have savings which are to be touched in nothing other than an emergency, appropriate policies in place and, having done it before, developed the skills and good humour to survive on a shoestring without being bitter or stressed about it.

bettythebuilder · 17/09/2015 00:16

We've always been very careful not to spend more than we can afford, so as not to have debt and to have savings to cover us if something unexpected happens.

JoJoBaldwin · 17/09/2015 09:46

The bank of mum and dad is really appreciated when life throws a curveball. I don't like asking them, and only ask in emergencies when I know i can pay back in full a couple of weeks later. But I think it makes them feel good to be able to help out even though I feel awkward about it!

down2earthwithabump · 17/09/2015 11:47

Because my parents didn't earn much as the main job was a low-paid vocation, I have not been able to depend on them for money. I have lived independently since 18 though briefly moved home for a couple of months at 21, but as the house belonged to the job, it was not always possible.

Being a not very high academic achiever and a SAHM now things are tricky and whilst I want to save and budget my DH refuses as he finds talking about money tricky. I think the ability to discuss finance, budget and save would relieve a lot of my anxiety and set a better pace to life. I think budgeting and saving and talking about it openly would breach many a crisis, and knowing options... forming contingency plans. Clearly life assurance would be good to have for security for children. And not having too high a mortgage, though I am not sure how to avoid that these days.

On a day to day basis, it is good to carry £20 "iron rations" as my Grandfather called it, in my purse/wallet that remains unspent but means that something can be paid for in an emergency.

jandoc · 17/09/2015 12:59

its always good when someone sees you are struggling and offers to help, knowing that you are too proud to ask for it.