computer skills

Online money management

Credit card

What is internet banking?

Internet banking is a term used for performing transactions and payments over the internet through a bank's secure website. It can be extremely useful, especially for banking outside normal bank opening hours or from anywhere the internet is available.

In most cases all you need is an internet browser page, no special software or hardware is required. You can:

  • check your balance and receipts/payments
  • look up current and past statements
  • make payments and transfer money
  • manage standing orders and direct debits.

Banks

Most bank and building societies allow you to bank online. Here are some websites for UK banks, if yours is not here, you will be able to find the web address by searching or from information supplied by your bank:

UK banking code

There are guarantees in place to protect customers which banks abide to. The code states that anyone losing money as a result of fraud will have their money completely refunded. This means that even if your bank isn't 100% secure, your money is 100% safe.

There are a couple of requirements on this rule.

  • You can't have knowingly participated in the fraud. For instance, handing your details over to criminals with a view to help them empty your account.

  • You can't have been 'grossly negligent', this covers the banks against customer foolishness, like writing your pin number on the back of your bank card.

It is advisable you have good security software on your computer to safeguard your information. Also be careful when using a public computer, such as in a library.

* Hampshire County Council is not responsible for the content of external websites.

 

Debt management

Debts

Do you want to take control of your finances - but not sure where to start?

Do you need a bit of help sorting out your financial priorities?

Loans, credit cards, mortgage payments, bills – should you be worried about what you owe?

Almost everyone has some form of debt, be it money owed on a credit card, a bank loan or overdraft, or a mortgage. But if you’re having trouble paying your bills or loan repayments, you should get help as soon as possible.

There is some very useful advise on the internet to help you:

* Hampshire County Council is not responsible for the content of external websites.

 
Utility bills

Utilities

Everyone pays for the utilities they use such as water, electric, gas and telephone. The costs of these utilities is ever increasing.

Take time to review how much you are paying and find out if you can get a better deal elsewhere and make savings.

There are various comparison websites out there to help you which provide price information on different providers in your area. You can then compare them side by side and see if you can make savings.

Some useful websites include:

* Hampshire County Council is not responsible for the content of external websites.

 

Taxes

Completing tax forms

The Directgov website* has lots of useful information and online forms to help you with:

  • self assessment

  • completing tax returns and keeping records

  • tax refunds and reclaiming overpaid tax

  • understanding your tax refund

  • PAYE forms: P45, P46, P60, P11D and working and paying tax

  • tax on benefits, pensions and maintenance payments

  • tax on savings and investments

  • tax on property and rental income.


* Hampshire County Council is not responsible for the content of external websites.

 

Pensions & retirement planning

Planning retirement

Pensions and planning for retirement doesn't have to be daunting.

Find out about the types of pensions that are available, how much you can get, financial support and concessions and learn about your saving options.


* Hampshire County Council is not responsible for the content of external websites.

 

Benefits

Purse

The Directgov* website is very useful to help you work out if you're able to get any State Benefit assistance particularly if you are sick, have a low income or dependent children and then how to claim benefit.

Benefits advisor

Get benefit advice, for you/your family or for someone else.

Using the online benefits adviser* simply answer questions anonymously online about your savings, income and outgoings to:

  • find out which benefits you may be able to get

  • get an estimate of the benefits, tax credits or pension that may be available

  • compare estimates if your situation changes

  • save your answers for up to seven days and download/print results for reference.


* Hampshire County Council is not responsible for the content of external websites.

 

Useful websites

* Hampshire County Council is not responsible for the content of external websites.