money

Grapevine is launching it's new texting service , U2Us this week. The service will use latest technology to provide, quality, up to date information, advice and support to young people direct to their mobile phones.

Young people can text on 0780 007 4927 and ask our trained volunteers (other young people) for information and support on a wide range of issues.

U2Us can also be used by a range of professionals working with young people either to receive information, send information to and consult with young people.

For more info text to 0780 007 4927, call Grapevine on 01242 255888 or leave a message on this site.

• It is a good idea to have some currency of the country you are visiting, in cash, before you set off. This can be bought at banks, travel agents or the Post Office before you go.
• But don't carry all your money with you in cash. Find out about travellers cheques from banks, travel agents or the Post Office. Traveller's cheques are the safest way to take money abroad because they can't be used without your signature. You actually sign twice - once in front of the cashier when you buy the cheques and once when you cash them at the bank or bureau de change when you will be asked for proof of identity.

Gloucestershire Trading Standards Department

Hillfield House Denmark Road Gloucester GL1 3LD Advice Line: 01452 426666

Gloucestershire Money Advice Service

Voluntary Resource Centre Sandford Park Offices College Road Cheltenham GL53 7HX

01242 224859

Some shops and traders will say there is nothing they can do if you try to return faulty or damaged goods. Here are some common excuses:

We'll send it back to the workshop for repair. This is fine - if that is what you want. If you haven't used the goods and you have recently bought them, you can simply ask for your money back. If the fault has developed over a period of time, it's a bit more complicated. If the trader disagrees that there was a fault with the product when you brought it and you want a full refund, then it is up to you to convince or prove to the trader that there was a fault at the time of purchase. If they disagree it is generally assumed that the trader is right unless you can prove otherwise.

It's easy to spend your money, and it's good fun. But to make sure you don't get ripped off, check out the information and tips below. Buying goods

Before you buy clothes or shoes make sure you have the right size, check the labels to see what they are made of and how you should take care of them. Can you afford to have something dry-cleaned every time? If there is nothing wrong with what you have bought, you have no automatic right to take it back because you have changed your mind or find that it is the wrong size. Ask when you buy whether you can take it back and always keep your receipt.

There's no easy way out - you know that already. But the sooner you face the problem, the easier it will be to solve it. So act now.

• Tell your creditors (the people and companies you owe money to) as soon as you have problems. Don't ignore letters or demands. The earlier they know about any problem, the more sympathetic creditors are likely to be.
• Follow the action plan below. It'll help you to see where you stand and give you the information you need to talk to your creditors.

ACTION PLAN

Step 1:

How much do you owe?

List all your financial commitments and when they are due. Some debts can cause more trouble than others can. These are priority debts. You must deal with these first.

Money. You think you've got enough to see you through, and then it all seems to vanish in the space of a couple of weeks, leaving you with nothing. If this sounds familiar, particularly if you've left home and are living independently, you need to think about budgeting - planning and controlling what you spend, so that you don't keep running out of cash.

Where does it all go?

Try keeping a note of everything you spend for a month. Chances are you'll be splashing the cash on all kinds of stuff you hadn't expected. Everybody's different, but you may find that you are spending more than you can afford on CDs, drinks, phone calls, clubbing or clothes. What's your weak spot?

A good way to keep track of your money is to open an account with a bank, building society or post office. Different accounts give you different things, so think carefully before you open one and visit a few high street banks before you make your choice.

Depending on your age, there are several types of services that you might be offered.

Most banks and building societies offer you Cash Cards (depending on your age). A cash card allows you to withdraw money from a cash machine, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, though some cash machines may charge you for this service. You will be given a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for your card, it is important to keep this number secret otherwise your bank may refuse to refund you if somebody steals and uses your card.

Leaflets CH1 CH7 and CH11

Child benefit is paid to your parents whatever their income. Your parents can continue to get Child Benefit until you are 19 providing you are in full-time education up to A level standard. Child Benefit normally stops shortly after you leave school / college but if you register at your local Connexions shop for training the period for which Child Benefit is paid can be extended. If you leave school during the summer your parents can continue to claim for you until the end of the calendar year. If you leave at Christmas or Easter they can claim for a further 12 weeks.

Leaflet GL19

Most benefits are paid by your local Job Centre Plus or Social Security office. Others are paid by local councils. Get a copy of Leaflet GL19, the Young Peoples Guide to Social Security from your Social Security office or a Grapevine information point in your local youth centre.

Benefits fall into three main groups:

• Contributory Benefits you can only receive if you have paid enough national insurance contributions, e.g. Contributory Jobseekers Allowance, Incapacity Benefit.
• Non-Contributory Benefits you claim because you are in a specific group of people entitled to them, e.g. Disability Benefits, Child Benefit.
• Income related or means tested benefits which can be claimed if you have no income or your income is below a certain level. The amount depends on your financial resources such as your earnings and savings, e.g. income based Jobseeker's Allowance, Housing Benefit.

Can I get Benefit while I'm still at School?