91Èȱ¬

91Èȱ¬ Radio Northampton’s Consumer show has been looking at credit and store cards.ÌýThe average UK adult owns nearly 2.5 credit cards and has debts on those approaching £2,300.ÌýAccording to the Bank of England, British consumers have around £53 billion pounds worth of debt in total on credit cards.

Hear part one of a radio drama where we learn about Carmen. She tries to avoid dealing with her credit and store card bills by hiding them away in a draw:

Listen to 91Èȱ¬â€™s money expert Jasmine Birtles talking to the Consumer Show presenter Bob Walmsley.ÌýJasmine gives advice on how to tackle credit card debts and where you can get help.

Part Two: Loans

Borrowers now pay an average of 29.4% on a £5000 loan compared to 10.65% in January 2008.Ìý Always check what sort of interest you are paying.ÌýWhen you borrow money ‘interest’ means the percentage you will pay on the money you have borrowed.

Listen to part two of Carmen's story. Her boiler has broken down and she needs a loan, but where will see borrow the money from? What are her options?

Richard Savage speaks to Martin Lord, Manager of Northampton Citizens Advice Bureau about loans and interest rates.

Part Three - Budgeting

Do you have a budget? What is a budgeting and how do we go about writing one?Ìý Budgeting can help you see where your money is going. When completing a budget sheet don't forget to add all the little incidentals like money for lunch, coffees and prescriptions. All the little things add up!

In part three of our RAW Money drama Carmen's dad explains how she needs to make a budget so she can see where her money is going:

Consumer show presenter Bob Walmsley speaks to Beccy Boden-Wilks, debt advisor for the National Debt Line:

Why not click onto the National Debt Line website and download a personal budget sheet:

Part Four - Weddings

Planning a wedding can be a stressful time, trying to please both sets of parents and finding that perfect wedding dress. With the economic problems hitting us hard we also have the worry of how much it will cost.

According to one of the wedding magazines, the average cost of tying the knot can be around £20,000. But it’s more than possible to plan that extra special day without hosing cash around like confetti.

Carmen’s daughter announces her plans for her wedding.ÌýCarmen is not convinced that her daughter needs a horse drawn carriage and black orchids on every table:

Presenter of the consumer show Bob Walmsley speaks to Lisander Keizer a local wedding planner and bridal wear designer. Lisander has some great tips on how to set a wedding budget and stick to it!

Part Five - Redundancy

Redundancy is a form of dismissal from a job and can happen for many reasons.

In part five of our raw money drama Carmen is made to face up to the reality of possible redundancy:

We look at how to cope if you lose your job and ask how prepared you are if the worst happens. Are you aware of the help that is available? Do you have an up to date CV? Do you have any savings?

Consumer show presenter Bob Walmsley spoke to Jill Hope, a business advisor for Business Link based at Northampton University:

Pick up a 91Èȱ¬ raw money magazine from 91Èȱ¬ Radio Northampton's reception.

Go to our 91Èȱ¬ raw money website to find out more:Ìý