5 money skills every care leaver needs before 25
Nobody teaches you this in school. Here are the five money skills that make the biggest difference in the first few years after leaving care.
Nobody hands you a manual
When you leave care, money goes from being something abstract to being something urgent. Rent, bills, food, transport — it all lands at once.
Here are the five skills we teach in our Money module that make the biggest difference.
1. Reading a bank statement properly
Not just the balance. The recurring charges. The subscriptions you forgot about. The direct debits that stack up quietly.
2. The 50/30/20 split (and why it might not work for you)
The standard budgeting advice assumes stability. Care leavers often don't have that yet. Learn the principle, then adapt it to your reality.
3. Emergency funds — even tiny ones
£50 set aside changes how you respond to a crisis. It's the difference between a problem and a disaster.
4. Knowing your rights with debt
Not all debt collection is legal. Not all threats are enforceable. Knowing the difference keeps you safe.
5. Asking for help early
The most expensive thing you can do is wait. The cheapest is a five-minute conversation before it gets worse.