Latest news with #MoneyMatters
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow housing association secured over £500k for tenants
Ardenglen Housing Association's in-house financial inclusion team has helped 341 households in Castlemilk access unclaimed benefits, delivering an average income boost of £1,524 per home. Suzanne Casey, director of customer services at Ardenglen, said: "The additional resource of the financial inclusion officer, along with two funded posts, has been instrumental in supporting our customers through the cost of living crisis. "The financial gains achieved and the positive feedback received from customers speak for themselves." Read more: Scotland's hidden debt crisis 'leaving people isolated and afraid' The service was previously delivered in partnership with Money Matters, but rising demand during the cost of living crisis led Ardenglen to expand the team and take the service in-house last year. Its current team includes a full-time financial inclusion officer, a part-time energy advisor, and a full-time financial and digital inclusion worker. Ardenglen manages around 1,000 homes in the south Glasgow estate. In addition to helping tenants access benefits, the team supported 26 individuals to engage with the Debt Arrangement Scheme, helping them manage arrears and protect their assets. Read more: Met the Glasgow teacher preparing to trek 50km along Great Wall of China Ardenglen also launched a partnership with The Furnishing Service to provide vulnerable and new tenants with essential white goods. The scheme aims to reduce the risk of tenancy failure and support those in crisis. Energy advice has been another key area of support, with 274 tenants receiving help to manage bills, avoid disconnection, and resolve complaints. Suzanne said: "With energy prices continuing to take a significant chunk of household income, we were delighted to be able to increase the level of support we can offer local people to help them keep bills down."
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
6 Ways Becoming an AARP Member Can Save Retirees Thousands in 2025
The arrival of the first AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) card invitation is almost a rite of passage in American society. While it may signal you have become a person of a certain age, you can actually join the association as young as 18, though some benefits don't kick in until you're older. Check Out: Read Next: For retirees, who are often living on a reduced income, the benefits of an AARP membership can be significant. Here are just a few of the ways you can use this membership to save thousands over time. According to Melanie Musson, a finance expert with 'The most valuable benefits are for essentials that retirees have to spend money on every month.' For example, if you still need to carry car insurance, AARP can help you pay lower rates and get discounts on car insurance. The average person can save around $577 per year on car insurance alone. 'The savings on insurance, phone service and groceries exceed the cost of membership,' Musson said. Find Out: AARP offers a variety of insurance types, from supplemental vision and dental insurance to supplemental Medicare health insurance plans offered through United HealthCare. Taking advantage of these insurance supplements can make sure you don't find yourself with pricey out-of-pocket expenses or long-term care when you really need it. Members also gain access to a variety of discounts and coupons on products, brands and services. For example, the website currently features a 20% off coupon for two pairs of Dr. Scholl's brand shoes and 15% off Goodyear brand tires. You can search by your ZIP code to get personalized discounts that meet your needs in local stores and businesses. Don't even think about booking travel without an AARP membership if you can help it — the website is full of offers with such deals as 35% off rental cars, hundreds of dollars off airfare and cruise packages. Not only do these various discounts mean your retirement funds can last longer, that means you can benefit from the continued earnings and compound interest as they grow over time, making what you have saved last longer, Musson pointed out. Retirement may seem like a simpler time in some ways because most people are no longer working, however, retirees may still find themselves needing financial advice. The most important consideration, Musson said, is that 'AARP specializes in senior citizens, and it has partnerships with banks and financial institutions that can directly advise seniors in a fiduciary capacity.' Additionally, AARP offers several workshops, like Foundation Finances 50+ and Money Matters. If two of you are retired, you can have one membership that gives benefits to you and a secondary member, such as a spouse. Musson recommended that you ask other friends and family members who have used benefits what has been most beneficial to them. Additionally, read through the benefits AARP offers and see which ones apply to your lifestyle. More From GOBankingRates 6 Used Luxury SUVs That Are a Good Investment for RetireesThese 10 Used Cars Will Last Longer Than an Average New Vehicle7 Overpriced Grocery Items Frugal People Should Quit Buying in 20254 Affordable Car Brands You Won't Regret Buying in 2025 This article originally appeared on 6 Ways Becoming an AARP Member Can Save Retirees Thousands in 2025
