Free advice is available from many independent advisors.

1. 

   Family Budgeting Services is a free budgeting service that operates 148 Family Budgeting Services nationwide. These provide budgeting advice as well as ongoing support and education on a confidential basis. Trained budget advisors assist families and individuals to manage their finances with a focus on effective debt management and managing creditors.

   0508 BUDGETLINE (0508 283 438) is a free phone service offered by the Federation of Family Budgeting Services. Call between 8am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, to get instant access to a budget adviser who can provide confidential budgeting help. Based on your needs, the Budgetline staff can either provide phone help on an ongoing basis or refer you to a local Family Budgeting service.

   The Family Budgeting Services website has lots of helpful information about budgeting, including an online budget planning tool.

2. 

   The Sorted website has useful information on budgeting as well as other aspects of money management. It also has a number of useful online calculators. Free Sorted booklets can also be ordered online at www.sorted.org.nz or by calling 0800 SORT MONEY (767 866).

3. 

   If you have a small business and you’re experiencing some financial pressure, your accountant can also be an excellent source of advice.