Pocket Money Book launched by Family Matters Institute and Credit Action (Feb 2006)

NEWS RELEASE for 7th February 2006

Launch of a brand new 40 page booklet ‘Pocket Money’ and CD ‘a resource for parents’ answering their questions, such as: Why give it? How much? Earn it of give it? Produced by Family Matters Institute (Alison Ball/Ladey Adey) and Credit Action (Keith Tondeur).

The Launch will take place at a champagne lunch on 7th February 2006, 12:30 at The Resource Centre, 356 Holloway Road, London.

This booklet is to help parents with the problems that arise with pocket money from ‘why give pocket money’ to ‘guidelines for pocket money’. The more children understand about money and the more dealings they have with money means the better they will be a dealing and handling with it when they are older causing better money management leading to less dept. The CD gives all the recourses needed to run a successful course for parents about children’s pocket money. It is a great additional session for any Parenting Course or Session.

The CD contains a Power Point Presentation and Handouts and Bonus Section of Teaching Materials “The Money Tree” supports parents and carers to develop their child/ren’s money management skills. It will help you and your child get started on the important task of understanding money in today’s world. It provides practical advice and handy hints about Pocket Money to teaching your child about the value of money. It includes how to ‘save up’, budget and give to others as the building blocks of responsibility which will really help children as they get older. The Pocket Money Booklet and CD can be used alongside each other of individually. The booklet is supported by many people such as Alistair Bury MP, RT Hon and Most Revd Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury and RT Hon Beverley Hughes MP, Minister of State for Children, Young People and Families. These have all commented on the booklet saying “Managing money is not easy and requires vision and responsibility as much as any other aspect of our lives. So I am delighted to welcome the publication of “Pocket Money” by the Family Matters Institute. Much that prepares us for the journey through life is influenced by childhood experiences, and approaches to handling money and debt are no exception.

This booklet will be a really excellent resource for parents and children alike – clear, honest and practical.” Rt Hon and Most Revd Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury “The Pocket Money booklet is a comprehensive and timely guide on important issues of money management for parents and families.” Rt Hon Beverley Hughes MP, Minister of State for Children, Young People and Families.

The book is available from Family Matters Institute at a cost of only £3.00, and CD £18
Park Road, Moggerhanger, Beds MK44 3RW
Tel: 01767 641002 family@familymatters.org.uk
www.familymatters.org.uk

ENDS

FMI is a company limited by guarantee Reg No 4746205 Charity No: 1101587 VAT Reg No 859 4298 67

Notes for editors: 1. Family Matters Institute is an educational charity that exists to improve family life in the UK. Its core work involves Training, Research and active Community Projects focusing on key issues that affects every family. This includes marriage and couple relationships, parenting and money issues. 2. Help for Families in Debt. A Dedicated Helpline is available for families in trouble with debt: 0800 652 0775 and support to parents to teach their children good money habits is available via the website www.moneystuff.co.uk 3. Statistics about families and debt - Total UK personal debt: At the end of November 2005 the total UK personal debt was £1,148bn. The growth rate remains strong at 10.2% for the previous 12 months which equates to an increase of ~ £100bn. (4th January 2006 by Richard Talbot Credit Action) - Average household debt in the UK is approximately £7,776 (excluding mortgages) and £46,491 including mortgages. (4th January 2006 by Richard Talbot Credit Action) - Average owed by every UK adult is approximately £24,636 (including mortgages). This grew by £205 last month. (4th January 2006 by Richard Talbot Credit Action) - Average consumer borrowing via credit cards, motor and retail finance deals, overdrafts and unsecured personal loans has risen to £4,121 per average UK adult at the end of November 2005. This figure translates into a 10% increase on the previous year's levels and a 45% increase since 2000. (4th January 2006 by Richard Talbot Credit Action) - Britain's personal debt is increasing by ~ £1 million every four minutes. (4th January 2006 by Richard Talbot Credit Action) - People in the UK will spend an estimated £9.6bn on credit cards in December 2004 (Credit Card Research Group) - 70 per cent of relationship breakdowns cite money as a prime cause (Relate) - Families in debt include lone parents who have overtaken pensioners as the poorest group (National Council for One Parent Families) FMI is a company limited by guarantee Reg No 4746205 Charity No: 1101587 VAT Reg No 859 4298 67