Perennial launches budgeting tool
Perennial, the national charity that helps people who work or have worked in horticulture, has launched a new online budgeting tool, designed to help the people they support understand their finances and improve the management of their money.
Perennial’s online budgeting tool can be used on a desktop computer, tablet or smart phone. It is very easy to use and does not require any technical or financial expertise.
All information provided is completely confidential and will not be shared with anyone else. People can use it anonymously if they wish or they can register so they are able to revisit their budget at any time and see how their planned changes are working.
Why has Perennial developed this budgeting tool?
In 2018, Perennial helped people in horticulture access nearly £4 million in financial assistance – more than any other year in its 180-year history.
A recent financial wellbeing survey of working-age people found that 94% worry about money. Of this group, over three quarters say it impacts their work. Less than half of employees surveyed had a financial plan and debt was mentioned as an issue for 58% of people.
Perennial aims to help address the money worries that people working in horticulture have, including those who are self-employed, looking for work or retired, with its easy-to-use online budgeting tool. The charity is encouraging everyone to check their financial wellbeing, regardless of their financial status, to understand their financial situation and proactively manage their money.
Wendy Tozer, Debt Advice Manager at Perennial, says: “Most of the people we help require financial support of some kind and we know it is a huge contributing factor to stress and other mental health issues. But financial wellbeing is so much more than managing debt and we want everyone working in horticulture to have the confidence to take control of their money. Our online budgeting tool can help you understand your financial situation and suggest changes for successfully managing monthly budgets.
“Creating a realistic budget is really important because it helps you understand how you are using your money and where your biggest expenditures are. Seeing this written down can really help and the great thing about our tool is that it suggests changes you can make to achieve a good balance between your income and expenditure. The tool also offers lots of tips for increasing your income and reducing your spending and points you in the right direction for further help if you need it.”
User experience
Speaking about his experience of using the Perennial budgeting tool, one person said: “I used the Perennial budgeting tool on my phone and it was very easy to use. It has helped me understand my finances better and encouraged me to contact Perennial for additional help and advice. I’d certainly recommend it to others who might be worrying about money.”
Use the Perennial Budgeting Tool
Perennial
Perennial is the UK’s only charity dedicated to helping everyone who works in horticulture, and their families, when times get tough.
Perennial provides free and confidential advice, support and financial assistance to people of all ages working in or retired from horticulture. This help extends to spouses, partners and children.
Read the Turn2us Grants Search profile on Perennial
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