How to save money? In Calvados, this service has the solution

With a simple budgetary support to a file of over-indebtedness. Since 2021, the Condé-en-Normandie service center (Calvados), offers to help people manage their finances thanks to “a budget advice point”. And this, whatever the situation of each person.

Coping with inflation

“We are open to all”, repeats Marie Henryhead of the departmental union of family associations (Udaf) of Calvados. In charge of six sectors spread from Condé to Livarot and from Isigny to Merville-Franceville, the Condé agency is the one which still welcomes the fewest people in the department. However, it has 779 interviews for 327 people received during 48 days of service in 2023.

“Before settling in, we carried out a territorial survey,” she explains, pointing out the precariousness of homes.

In Condé, people interested in this assistance are often employees, as the representatives describe.

Here, the population faces inflation to move around the territory.

The budget advice point then makes it possible to inform people about their rights, which are often unknown, or to open microcredits to buy a car, for example. “Many people are unaware of the existence of the activity bonus. We are aimed at people who are not familiar with social services. »

“We point out what can be saved”

This free and confidential help is aimed at all audiences.

Students overdrawn at the end of the month, retirees or workers facing inflation. These are all these profiles that deal with us.

During these interviews, citizens in need benefit from an overall diagnosis of their expenses. “We go through their invoices and point out what can be saved,” intervenes Tiffany Moule, the contact person every Monday in the Condé agency. It is important to specify that people carry out actions independently.

So what are the strengths that agents rely on to make money? The answer is sometimes simple. “Some people pay double for insurance, we help them sort out what they need or not,” explains Tiffany Moule.

Savings also come through everyday actions.

People are invited to fill envelopes with what they have left to live on after paying their bills. This allows you to see what you can spend.

Difficult to talk about financial worries

“In addition, we have organized 56 collective actions in which we play a board game challenging participants to save money,” explains Tiffany Moule. By leading to debates and personal cases, people seek solutions together to resolve their personal problems.

Talking about your budgetary problems is often a difficult moment. “The people who come are sometimes very ashamed, our goal is to help them pay their bills,” says Tiffany Moule.

Reach other audiences

Tiffany Moule is also looking for partners to work with. In addition to the €15,000 subsidy per year granted by the state, the budget advice point is looking for additional financing means. “We propose to bring our skills to other audiences such as the army, the Family Allowance Fund or even in detention centers,” quotes Marie Henry.

“Everyone is concerned about the budget. » The agents certify that after these meetings, savings are assured.

Contact : [email protected] or at 02 31 54 64 20. At the Condé services center.

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