Personal Finance Handbook

This is a straightforward introduction to the types of financial products and services that are widely available – bank accounts, savings, loans, pensions, insurance and so on. The information is factual, non-biased and non-brand specific.

The Handbook clearly explains:

• why financial planning is important, and how to go about it
• when you might need a particular product or service, and the types of provider
• what costs might be involved, the small print, and how to protect yourself from fraud or mis-selling
• your rights and responsibilities as a consumer
• where to get further advice and help, and how to complain if necessary.

This edition takes account of how the 'credit crunch' and recession have affected people's finances. It has new and expanded information on banking, Saving Gateway, ISAs, pay-day loans, pawnbroking, debt relief orders, pension personal accounts, individual budgets, payment protection insurance and sale-and-rent-back schemes.

The Personal Finance Handbook is for you if you are:

• advising people on low to moderate incomes who may be having difficulty accessing everyday financial products that could help them – for example, a bank account to receive direct payments
• participating in financial literacy projects, or providing education or training in financial literacy.

This guide is geared to the needs of general advisers and trainers. It is not for registered financial advisers; neither is it primarily aimed at the consumer (although many individuals will find it useful).

The Personal Finance Handbook is published by CPAG with SAFE (Services Against Financial Exclusion) at Toynbee Hall. This third edition is published with the support of the Financial Services Authority. Author Jonquil Lowe is a freelance writer and Lecturer in Personal Finance with The Open University, a former head of the Money Group at Which? and the author of over twenty personal finance books for consumers.

December 2009 978 1 906076 32 0 £16.50

‘A very comprehensive introduction to personal finance, written in straightforward and easy to understand language. It is essential reading for those working in the areas of financial literacy and financial exclusion, and others who wish to improve financial capability’ THE ADVISER (Citizens Advice)

‘This 'how to' book is easy to read, understand and use, and is on our recommended reading list for financial literacy courses.’ LONDON METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

‘As more and more advisers find themselves asked to provide “generic financial advice” to clients, the handbook will provide an ideal and authoritative resource’ ADVICEUK

‘This book is an invaluable aid to the debt adviser … (its) use by frontline workers in welfare benefit offices, housing associations and community groups will help them to encourage and promote financial education and capability ... This in turn will help to reduce the growing problem of unmanageable debt that we are seeing here in the capital and throughout the country.' Money Advice Caseworker, CAPITALISE

Downloads

Download a sample chapter from the Personal Finance Handbook (268 KB PDF file)

Related training

CPAG courses: Money Advice
CPAG courses in Scotland