Money Mates
Life Adds Up / Financial wellbeing
Your money. Your future. It all adds up.
Money pressures can build up before we realise it. But with the right knowledge, support and a plan that works for you, small steps can lead to bigger possibilities.
Small steps today. Bigger possibilities tomorrow.
When money pressures add up
It’s not just about the money.
- The bill you’ve been putting off.
- The unexpected expense.
- The rent going up.
- The feeling that everyone else is getting ahead.
Financial pressure doesn’t always stay in your bank account. It can affect your sleep, your relationships, your confidence and everyday life. And it’s not always down to choices you made: rents, prices and wages all play a part.
- RentUp again
- Energy billDue Friday
- Food shopMore than last month
- Van / carMOT due
- Credit cardMinimum paid
- Left to saveNot much
up.
You’re not the only one
But you don’t have to figure everything out at once.
Small steps add up too
You don’t need to have it all figured out.
Four places to start. None of them need you to be good with money.
Know where you stand
Write down what comes in and what has to go out: rent, bills, travel, debts. Even a rough picture takes some of the fear out of it.
Free budget planner (opens in a new tab)Make a plan
Bills first. Then a small, regular amount set aside, even if it’s only a few pounds. It’s the habit that builds, not the amount.
Read our money guideUnderstand your options
If debt is piling up, free and confidential help exists. Charities like StepChange and National Debtline won’t judge you for calling.
Find free debt advice (opens in a new tab)Think about tomorrow
Pick one goal that matters to you: a rainy-day pot, a holiday, your first home. Write it down. Goals you can see are easier to work towards.
See the first-home journeyYour first step
What does your next step look like?
Pick what matters most to you right now. It’s a starting point, not a financial assessment, and we don’t ask for any details.
Get on top of bills
Start by listing every bill and when it goes out. Put essentials first: rent or mortgage, council tax, energy and food. If you’re already behind on any of them, get free debt advice before anything else.
Use the free MoneyHelper budget planner (opens in a new tab)Understand my spending
Look back at one month of your bank statement and sort it into three piles: must-pay, could-cut and nice-to-have. You’re not judging yourself, just seeing where it goes.
Try the MoneyHelper budget planner (opens in a new tab)Start saving
Pick an amount small enough that you won’t miss it and set it to move on payday. The habit matters more than the amount, especially at the start.
Getting into the savings habit (MoneyHelper) (opens in a new tab)Manage debt
You don’t have to sort debt on your own, and you shouldn’t have to pay for help. Free, confidential debt advice is available from charities like StepChange and National Debtline.
Find free debt advice near you (opens in a new tab)Explore buying my first home
Start by learning how the process works: deposits, mortgages, credit history and what lenders look at. Our five-step guide below is a good place to begin.
See the first-home journeyThe property ladder
Think you’ll never own a home?
Your first home might be closer than you think.
If buying your first home feels impossible, you’re not alone. Between rent, bills and everyday life, saving for a deposit can feel like a mountain to climb.
But understanding the process is a powerful first step. What deposit might you need? How do mortgages work? What could you realistically afford? Are there schemes worth looking into? You don’t need all the answers today. You just need somewhere to start.
Understand your money
Work out what’s coming in, what’s going out and what you can realistically set aside each month.
Get to know your credit
Your credit report is a record of how you’ve managed borrowing. You can check it for free, and lenders look at it when you apply for a mortgage. How credit scores work (opens in a new tab)
Explore your deposit
Learn how deposits work, how much lenders usually look for, and set yourself a saving goal you can actually stick to.
Understand your options
Find out how mortgages work, what affects how much you could borrow, and whether any current first-time buyer schemes could apply to you.
Make a realistic plan
Put it together into a plan with a timeline that fits your life, and get professional advice when you’re ready to apply.
Good to know. Whether, and when, you can buy depends on your income, outgoings, any existing debt, your deposit, your credit history and each lender’s criteria. This page is general information, not mortgage advice, and SPEAK doesn’t give financial advice. For advice on your own situation, speak to a qualified, FCA-regulated mortgage adviser.
If you’re behind on rent, bills or debt repayments, deal with those first. Free debt advice is available (opens in a new tab).
Introducing Money Mates
Real support. Real conversations. No judgement.
Money MatesSPEAK believes financial wellbeing deserves the same everyday attention as our physical and mental fitness. That’s why we’re working with Money Mates to make conversations about money easier to start.
Money Mates work closely with people across the construction industry and the self-employed world, and with anyone who feels their finances have started to get on top of them. Founder Kris Perryman joined The SPEAK Podcast to talk money, pressure and mental health.
Talk to Money Mates
Want a hand with your money?
Whether it’s this month’s bills or a plan for your first home, the Money Mates team can talk it through with you.
Leave your details
Just your name, how to reach you and what you’d like help with.
Money Mates get in touch
We pass your details to Money Mates, only with your permission.
Have the chat
No judgement and no pressure. You decide what happens next.
Talk to Money Mates.
Leave your details and the Money Mates team will get in touch. No judgement, no pressure, and nothing to sign up to.
Life Adds Up
Money and mental fitness are connected.
When money is constantly on your mind, it can be hard to switch off.
At SPEAK, we believe the pressures people carry outside work matter just as much as the ones they face during the working day. Through Life Adds Up, we’re encouraging people to notice those pressures earlier and find practical ways to move forward.
Money guidance isn’t a replacement for mental health support. If money worries are getting too much, talk to someone. Samaritans are free, day or night, on 116 123.
Real stories
Every journey starts somewhere.
Kris Perryman on The SPEAK Podcast
The Money Mates founder on money, pressure and mental health. A straight conversation, no jargon.
Got a money story?
Paid off a debt, saved your first deposit, or just got on top of the bills? More stories are coming here. If yours could help someone else, we’d love to hear it.
Your future is worth planning for.
You don’t need to change everything overnight. Whether you’re trying to get on top of this month’s bills or dreaming of the keys to your first home, understanding your options is a good place to start. One conversation. One decision. One step at a time.