
The Money Advice Service
Get free, impartial information and tools on how to manage your money.
Getting your budget back on track
Dev was having trouble controlling his finances and was often relying on an overdraft to cover expenses.
Dev’s story shows typical situations people find themselves in and how we can help. You’re not alone – we’re here to help you.
Dev requested an overdraft to fill the gap between payday and the end of the month. He thought could always repay it, so he wasn’t too worried.
When he found himself overspending, though, he began using his overdraft more and incurring fees. Soon, he was living off his overdraft.
It all got too much for Dev when he was charged a fee for a bill he couldn’t afford.
He started to use a credit card to cover bills and had already borrowed money from his mum, knowing he couldn’t afford to pay it back for a while.
His finances were spiralling out of control and he knew he needed some support.
Dev’s situation is more common than he might think and we had a number of tools to support him.
Dev downloaded the Barclays app1 to help him get up to date balances on his accounts.
He used our spending section to calculate his regular outgoings, understand where he could save money, and help him create a realistic budget.
He also used the card controls within his app to set spending limits on his cards to help him stick to his budget.
Dev’s friend recommended he speak to a Barclays Money Mentor. Our mentor helped him fine tune his budget, and told him how important it is to build up a savings buffer to protect against unexpected events. Together they worked this into his plan and started planning for some of Dev’s longer term goals too.
We have fewer colleagues than usual answering the phones right now because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. This is having a big impact on our call wait times – we’re sorry about this.
If you’re worried about your finances because of coronavirus, we’re ready to help.
See frequently asked questions about our mortgages, credit cards, loans and overdrafts. Or visit our coronavirus help page.
Please only call us if you have an immediate financial problem that can’t wait – this will help us support those who need help urgently. You can also see information on managing your money in the Barclays app1 and Online Banking.
Thanks for your patience and understanding. We’re working to try to help as many people as possible.
Get Money Mentor tips on what to do when your income is reduced.
Help is always at hand. As soon as you think you might have some financial difficulties, give us a call – it could help make things better.
Have some information about your financial situation ready, before you call, including your income and outgoings. You might be talking for a while – we’ll want to understand your situation in detail, so make sure you set aside some time.
Mortgages – 0333 202 7492 Monday to Thursday, 8am to 8pm, Friday, 8am to 7pm and Saturday, 9am to 4pm
Barclaycard – 0800 051 8346 Monday to Friday 8am to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 9pm
Overdraft and Barclayloan – 0333 202 7412 Monday to Thursday, 8am to 8pm, Friday, 8am to 7pm and Saturday, 9am to 4pm
Self-employed or have a business? Get some support
If you’ve missed a payment on your Barclayloan, overdraft or Barclaycard, you might be able to pay it using the Barclays app1, – or give us a call.
Overdrafts and Barclayloan – 0345 703 4034 Monday to Thursday, 8am to 8pm, Friday, 8am to 7pm and Saturday, 9am to 4pm
For a mortgage or Barclaycard, please call the relevant number in the section above.
Get free, impartial information and tools on how to manage your money.
Get expert advice and fee-free debt management, so you can tackle your debts.
Free help and advice on dealing with your debt.
Free online advice to help you find a way forward, whatever the problem.
Getting the balance
Spending isn’t an issue, but it’s important to make sure you’re not spending too much. Let’s explore some ways of finding a balance.
Seven easy tips for everyday money management
Finances are different for everyone, but there are some tips that work for us all – let’s explore some of them.
10 fast ways to build your savings
Cutting back on a few non-essential items could be a quick way to help you save a little more each month
How to improve your financial health
Develop your money-management skills with our easy-to-follow guides on budgeting, saving, planning for the future and handling debt.