With rising energy prices and inflation hikes, families across Northern Ireland have been feeling the squeeze in recent months.
It has forced more and more people to make the hard choice between heating or eating as they face huge increases in their household bills.
Northern Ireland is facing record-breaking fuel increases while home heating oil prices also continue to spiral out of control - with 500 litres now costing an average of £662.
Read more: Northern Ireland £200 Energy Payments to be in 'majority' of bank accounts on Friday
Russia's invasion of Ukraine is likely to increase the pressure on gas and oil supply, which in turn will further push up costs.
It means people will have to be even smarter when it comes to making their money last and also make sure they're getting all the support they need.
On top of that, gas and electricity bills in Northern Ireland are set to rise further from April, meaning households already struggling with rising food and utility costs will be the hardest hit.
There are a variety of resources and organisations that can offer assistance to those struggling with their finances.
Many websites and charities offer financial support, alongside advice on getting access to food, or even how to cut down on household bills.
Advice NI
Advice NI and the Independent Advice Network have 69 members and more than 300 advisers across Northern Ireland, providing free and confidential advice to individuals and businesses.
To access Advice NI’s money and debt advice, and free the future, call freephone 0800 915 4604 or visit www.adviceni.net. To find an advice centre in your local area, just visit www.adviceni.net/advice/local.
Citizens Advice
Those struggling can also search the Citizens Advice website to find out what help they can get if on a low income.
This could be help with living costs, rent, free prescriptions or school meals.
For emergency expenses, there are also one off payments from the Social Fund or from a welfare assistance scheme.
Find out more here: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/
Credit Unions
Credit unions offer an alternative to traditional banks and building societies for saving and borrowing and can sometimes beat the rates on the high street.
Credit unions aim to help people take control of their money by encouraging them to save what they can, and borrow only what they can afford to repay. In essence, they're savings and loan co-operatives, where the members pool their savings to lend to one another and help to run the credit union.
This is done in a ‘not-for-profit’ way, so the cash is only used to run the services and reward the members, and NOT to pay outside shareholders, like most other financial institutions.
Food banks
The network of food banks across Northern Ireland aims to provide emergency food and support to people locked in poverty.
The Trussell Trust website offers valuable resources such as their food bank search tool to help you locate the nearest food banks in your local area: https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/
They also offer a free helpline 'Help through Hardship' - 0800 915 4604 - open Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.
The helpline aims to 'help address your crises and provide support to maximise your income', help you navigate the benefits system, and identify any additional grants you could be entitled to.
If needed, they’ll also issue a voucher so those in need can get an emergency food parcel from their local food bank.
Government support
For energy bills, the government has a host of different schemes people can apply to which can help pay bills like the Winter Fuel Payment.
Those eligible could get between £100 and £300 to help pay their heating bills.
The deadline to make a claim for winter 2021 to 2022 is 31 March 2022.
Find out more about Winter Fuel Payment here.
Read more: British government urged to follow Ireland in cutting excise duty on petrol and diesel
Read more: NI mum on the reality of making ends meet
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