- The number of single parents in the UK is increasing all the time.
- Divorce rates are on the up, marriage in the first instance is becoming less popular and children who move between two homes is becoming part and parcel of modern day society.
As part of this change in social trend, is the increasing existence of the single father who takes on the full-time responsibility of raising the children.
According to the Office for National Statistics, in 2009 there were 200,000 lone fathers in Britain, compared with 1.8 million single mothers, but it is single fathers in the UK who now have the higher rate of increase of the sexes.
No matter whether the single parent is male or female, it is clear that the reliance on one salary can take a significant strain on any one individual. Balancing the needs of full or part-time employment alongside paying the mortgage, insurances, utilities, communications and childcare costs can be a real budget killer, and that’s before any consideration has been made for having that well-earned break from the kids for a bit of personal relaxation and indulgence – even if that’s fitted in whilst the kids are at swimming lessons!
With the role of budget-keeper traditionally falling to the parent who stayed at home to raise the family, it is perhaps the single father that is least well equipped to balance all the various asks of his skills and experiences. Sure, bringing home the money for food may be a role he is familiar and comfortable with, but what about household budgeting and making sure that all the supplies are there for when the children are sick or invite their entire classmates around for a sleepover!
- Modern day life can be expensive and when you take on all of these responsibilities, it is easy to forget that you do still need to make your books balance.
With the recent proposed changes to the Welfare State, it may also mean that your income is about to take a dip. Traditionally, whilst the man of the house might be involved in the key financial decisions, it was the female influence that developed ‘pots of savings’ – small amounts invested with different financial institutions, saving for holidays, school uniforms, a new handbag and the Christmas bills. In neglecting to pay attention to these key subsidiary savings, it can mean that there is less of a cushion available for times of struggle, such as a pay-freeze at work, rising heating bills or worse still redundancy.
- Do you identify with these trends and these issues?
- Is this something that keeps you from getting a good night’s sleep?
Then a conversation with one of Lewis Alexander’s debt management specialists could be the springboard for you to a more balanced home life and an improved ability to ensure you obtain a strong financial footing that allows you to provide the best for your children.
- Call Lewis Alexander FREE and in confidence today using 0800 018 6868.
They will offer you a financial healthcheck with a trained debt specialist. Lewis Alexander can review your incomings and outgoings to help you understand where you might need some expert help.
Whether it’s a debt management plan to help repay some of the unsecured debts that have mounted up or to help with the everyday expenses, or simply some help to better understand when your financial pressure points occur each month.
Our professional debt management advisors are ready to take your call now, so contact Lewis Alexander on 0800 018 6868.
Do you need a Financial Healthcheck?
- Lewis Alexander are offering a Financial Healthcheck to people who find themselves struggling with personal loans, credit cards and overdrafts etc.
A Financial Healthcheck is conducted by looking at an individuals income and expenditure and other personal details such as home ownership or possible savings and age so that it can be worked out by a professional adviser what the best option for them is financially.
The need for such a service has never been greater and Lewis Alexander is proud to launch this service nationwide throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- Lewis Alexander Financial Healthcheck as seen on TV.
Most people that call our personal debt helpline for a financial healthcheck find that it is a starting point of understanding and getting to grips with what solutions are available to them to sort or clear personal financial problems.
- Financial problems occur at all different times of life.
- The most important thing is that an individual recognises the problem they have and takes action to solve the problem as soon as possible.
The main solutions available to people in the UK to clear personal debts are as follows,
- Debt Management Plan
- Individual Voluntary Arrangement or IVA (a Trust Deed in Scotland)
- Debt Consolidation Loan
- Bankruptcy
- Debt Relief Order
- Equity Release
- Administration Orders
It is difficult for people to self diagnose themselves financially as they usually have experienced a change in circumstance and are preoccupied with the problems they face due to that change.
Once you have suffered a change in circumstance such as a loss of job or illness, it is very hard to catch up with finances that may have fallen behind. These could include rent or mortgage payments or even Council tax or electricity / gas arrears. Not all companies are sympathetic to your circumstances but you should make sure they are aware and put it in writing and send it recorded delivery, that way you can prove you made your creditor or lender or utility supplier aware of your change in circumstance and lack of ability to pay as normally expected.
If you do not contact your respective lender or utility supplier they cannot be expected to guess what is going on, if contacted they usually will make some sort of arrangement for you to catch up and pay off any arrears you may have been or are currently creating.
To best help yourself you can take advice from a trained adviser who knows what is best for you from experience of helping others in similar if not the same situations.
A financial healthcheck is one way of starting to find out exactly how good or bad your situation is. Whether you take the advice and act on it is totally up to you, those who do tend to act on advice sooner rather than later really do benefit from being pro-active as a financial problem usually does not go away without attention.There is no obligation to use our fee charging services after a financial healthcheck with Lewis Alexander.
You should be wary of paying upfront fees for any services that are not fully transparent, if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is!
If you think you would benefit from a financial healthcheck you can call Lewis Alexander free and in confidence 24 hours a day using 0800 018 6868.
