Bournes Debt Solutions

When it comes to dealing with debts on behalf our clients, one of the first things we do at Bournes is to find out if they are receiving all the benefits they are entitled to. One of these benefits is tax credits.

Nine out of ten families with children get tax credits, but you don’t need to have children to qualify. You could also qualify if you are working and earning low pay. At this time of year many families will have received a tax credits annual declaration form and it is very important that this is completed accurately to ensure you receive the additional income you are entitled to.

It is important to bear in mind that that your income could drop for a number of reasons, for example, due to redundancy. Tax credit claims can only be backdated by three months, so our top tip is: Put in a tax credit claim every year, even if you don’t get any tax credits that year. That way, you could still be entitled to the extra money, even if your income does drop part-way through the year. Also make sure that you claim before 31 July each year, otherwise you could lose out.

You can find out more about claiming tax credits, at Direct.Gov.uk. You can also talk to one of our specialist advisors about other possible benefits you could be claiming or any questions you might have about how to maximise your income as part of a debt management programme.

In 2007 the number of UK weddings fell to its lowest in over a hundred years, with only 270,000 couples venturing to tie the knot.
According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, the number of marriages that have taken place in the UK since 2006 have fallen by 2.7%.
With a typical wedding costing between £15K and £20K, it is hardly surprising that many couples are choosing to wait until the economy improves to take the plunge, particularly when they are already weighed down with other financial commitments and debts.
The current economic climate seems to have influenced priorities for many couples, so that they are now putting debt repayments or buying a home first.
For some couples the potential cost of a divorce could also be putting them off getting married in the first place!
It seems there are two options for couples who are keen to walk down the aisle at the moment:  either wait until the economy stabilises, or compromise on the expenditure.  After all – isn’t it time more people started questioning the wisdom of incurring huge debts for the sake of one ‘unforgettable’ day, when the money could be spent on a deposit for a house or some other more lasting investment?
If you have any thoughts on the subject, please feel free to share them here.

In 2007 the number of UK weddings fell to its lowest in over a hundred years, with only 270,000 couples venturing to tie the knot.
According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, the number of marriages that have taken place in the UK since 2006 have fallen by 2.7%.
With a typical wedding costing between £15K and £20K, it is hardly surprising that many couples are choosing to wait until the economy improves to take the plunge, particularly when they are already weighed down with other financial commitments and debts.
The current economic climate seems to have influenced priorities for many couples, so that they are now putting debt repayments or buying a home first.
For some couples the potential cost of a divorce could also be putting them off getting married in the first place!
It seems there are two options for couples who are keen to walk down the aisle at the moment:  either wait until the economy stabilises, or compromise on the expenditure.  After all – isn’t it time more people started questioning the wisdom of incurring huge debts for the sake of one ‘unforgettable’ day, when the money could be spent on a deposit for a house or some other more lasting investment?
If you have any thoughts on the subject, please feel free to share them here.