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FREE
GUIDE TO SMARTER MONEY SAVING
Quids in! ISSUE 41 WINTER 2018 / WWW.QUIDSINMAGAZINE.COM
How FutureProof Are Your Finances?
TAKE THE TEST
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s r a e y 10
OF FIGHTING YOUR CORNER
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EXPERT ADVICE ON: ✔SPENDING ✔SAVING ✔BORROWING ✔INCOME
D THE N I H E B S WHAT’
S W E N Welcome We’re ten! How did that happen? It seems like only yesterday that I was talking about the idea of a mag to help people on tight budgets. This issue, it was good to take a look backwards (see page 8) at all that has changed around us. But let’s think about the future for a second. The world feels more uncertain than any time I can remember. On one side people tell us the world is going to hell in a handcart. On the other, everything is coming up roses. Not sure I trust any of them. I’ve decided it’s time to pull up my own drawbridge and make sure my own finances are in shape. That’s why we put together the Future-Proof Your Finances Test. What can we do to limit the impact of any disaster? It won’t hurt to have a few savings to fall back on or an up-to-date CV, just in case. The Test is also on quidsinmagazine.com. There’s space there to offer more advice. You can record your score and try the simple steps. Try again in a couple of months and see if your finances are more secure.
LOAN SHARKS CIRCLE MONEY HELP SESSIONS
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Jeff, Editor
● Illegal lenders attend debt advice courses
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riminal lenders are sneaking into events for people struggling with their finances, a support agency has revealed. Lynne Johnson, director at Skills Max, runs debt counselling events in Hertfordshire. She told Quids in! they discovered lenders were attending under false pretences. “All of them there were women but not all were there for the same reasons. They told other women the Job Centre had sent them along but they had someone who sorted them out. They could put them in touch. “We followed up with a call and
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editor@quidsinmagazine.com
found people had been offered money. We asked to see the paperwork and found they were from loan sharks.” Loan sharks are not easy to spot but it is illegal to lend money without a licence. Victims have found interest payments rocket and have been threatened with violence. It has led to suicide for some. In 2017, Quids in! reported on Carol who had £1,000 a month taken off her by a loan shark, leaving her unable to afford food. Informal loans are not enforceable. Anyone who thinks they may a victim of a loan shark should contact 0300 555 2222 (England) or 0300 123 3311 (Wales). All calls handled in strict confidence.
In this issue…
Future-Proofing: How secure are your finances? Take the test Page 4
Taking Action:
Need help? Find support from experts Page 6
Quids in! magazine
◆ Address 3 Princes Street, Bath BA1 1HL Tel 08456 8049 06 ◆ Editor Jeff Mitchell Email editor@quidsinmagazine.com ◆ Comms Officer Dan Fineman Email dan@ socialpublishingproject.com ◆ Advertising Opportunities Lisa Woodman Email lisa@ socialpublishingproject.com ◆ Copy Sales Lisa Woodman, Rhiannon McNamara, Email lisa@ socialpublishingproject.com, rhiannon@socialpublishingproject.com ◆ Design Joe Burt ◆ Cartoon by Rachel Wotton www.harmfulraes.com ◆ Agony Aunt: Jayne Bellis at PennySmart © This magazine may not be reproduced in part or full without prior written permission Quids in! makes every effort to ensure content is correct at the time of going to print. Readers should take specialist advice where necessary. Quids in! has no political allegiances, and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher or editor. Any relationship with advertisers or sponsors is always on the understanding that we retain our editorial independence.
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10 years
OF FIGHTING YOUR CORNER
Quids in! magazine is designed to help people understand and manage their money better. It is published quarterly by the Social Publishing Project, a social enterprise.
Looking Back: Quids in! is 10. Wait. What? Page 8
Quids in! magazine is supported by Aon and Aviva. Aon arranges home contents insurance with Aviva for tenants of social and council housing. Ask your landlord if they have a scheme in place.
NEWS
LIFTING THE LID ON…
QUIDS IN’S BIRTHDAY in! Readers Club email service and recording how well it works. In Wales, the Illegal Money Lending Team have backed our work taking on loan sharks. We won funding to produce a bilingual version reporting on the dangers of borrowing from unlicenced lenders.
You can’t escape the fact Quids in! is ten this issue. But the news is that we’ve been honoured by the Mayor of London. His Civic Innovation Challenge award means we will be scaling up our work on helping people get online and access banking services better. Lloyds Bank will be helping us grow the Quids
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● Single household payments must end
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omen’s groups have come together to slam Universal Credit (UC) for increasing the risk of women and children being “left penniless by abusive partners”. Under UC, payments for multiple claimants in a single household are only paid into one bank account. It is feared that where abuse takes place, money will be paid to the abuser and withheld from the victim. At an event launching a report, Universal Credit and financial abuse: Exploring the Links, Dr Nicola SharpJeffs from Surviving Economic Abuse said: “Enabling abusive men to receive all of a household’s money direct to one bank account alone has to set off alarm bells.” The meeting was staged at the House of Commons by the Women’s Budget Group, Surviving Economic Abuse and the End Violence Against Women Coalition. MPs heard from Aanya who survived economic abuse. She said: “There are many problems
with Universal Credit based on my experience as a single parent going through domestic violence… No consideration is given to a person’s financial position or their emotional wellbeing.” Quids in! is supporting the call for an end to single household payments. Members of the Quids In Readers Club can read our full ‘Quids in! says’ on this at: qimag.uk/qisaysabuse
NEIGHBOURS NEED My elderly, disabled neighbour lives alone but people call at the house at all times of the day. I took post round for him and noticed he didn’t have the heating on and had a horrible bruise on his arm. He said he had tripped. Sometimes I hear shouting and I am concerned these visitors are taking money from him. Should I do something? Mrs G Ogden, Lancs
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JOIN THE CONVERSATION… INSURE FOR SURE When ringing around for insurance, I was shocked to be told by the call centre that it would be cheaper to buy online. Twenty five quid cheaper! That’s three month’s broadband paid for. Kerching. Received via quidsinmagazine.com
AGONY AU NT
WIN £50
POST The Editor, Quids In! 3 Princes Street, Bath BA1 1HL EMAIL editor@quidsinmagazine.com TWEET @quidsinmagazine
Have you got something you want to tell us, or a money-saving hint or tip to share? Each issue we’ll send £50 to our best letter writer, emailer or tweeter! Don’t forget to include your name and address.
I think this is neighbourly concern, Mrs Ogden. Sadly, abuse is all too common. It can be complicated. The victim can be afraid of violence or just losing a friend and becoming lonely. You could call your local social services adult safeguarding team and alert them on your local council number. Action on Elder Abuse Helpline may be able to help on 080 8808 8141. Or try National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
Quids in! | 3
FUTURE-PROOF T S E T S E C N A N I F R YOU
The
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en hard, the next couple While the past ten years have be How do we make sure . in rta ce un ht rig wn do e ar st at lea rms? Let’s start with we can weather any financial sto Finances Test the Quids in! Future Proof Your
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DO YOU:
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Feel sure you could keep food on the table if your income stopped for a few weeks? YES ■ NO ■
MINI-CHALLENGE: Over a
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here have not been more uncertain times for a generation. We just don’t know what is going to happen in the next few weeks, let alone years. The best thing we can do is dig in and shore up our money plans. The quiz below brings all Quids in! has learnt over ten years about what it takes to be financially fit for the future. We also called in help from our friends at DHI (Developing Health and Independence) and Clean Slate Training & Employment. They made sure it also creates a more secure foundation for housing, health and employment.
couple of weeks, note all the things you couldn’t do if your income stops. Plan how to work around this
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The list of simple questions below are about our attitudes, habits, and our day-today situation. For each one you respond to with a ‘No’, there is a mini-challenge – what you might do to turn it into a ‘Yes’. The number of ‘Yes’ answers is your score. By working through the minichallenges you should become better prepared for the future, whatever happens. Try it again in a couple of months and see if your score improves. If it does, your money affairs are even better protected against any setbacks. Take the test online. It will offer more advice, tips and information. Go to qimag. uk/finances
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Know exactly how much money goes out each month and how much your rent is? YES ■ NO ■
MINI-CHALLENGE: Use an online budgeting tool (see qimag.uk/ futureproofbudget). Any expenses you don’t know, find out
MINI-CHALLENGE: At
least, put aside a few pence a day. Increase it a bit per day, if you can. Make it a habit!
Have/ use a savings account? YES ■ NO ■
MINI-CHALLENGE: Open a savings account. Each time you’ve set aside a few quid, bank it
Set aside any money for savings each day or week? YES ■ NO ■
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Check your bank balance daily? YES ■ NO ■
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TAKING THE FUTURE-PROOF FINANCE TEST
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MINI-CHALLENGE: Start checking every day. Find the easiest way that works for you, like getting your bank’s App on your phone
Feel confident with the internet? Can you ‘google’, upload photos, watch videos AND post comments? YES ■ NO ■
MINI-CHALLENGE: Get
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onto Facebook and learn to post updates and upload photos. Search for a video about us by googling: youtube quids in readers club
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Have ID documents and readily know where to find YES ■ NO ■ them?
MINI-CHALLENGE: Check
out the Quids in! advice on getting ID together. Keep them safe in one place, ready
Open all your post every day? YES ■ NO ■
MINI-CHALLENGE: Well, open all your post every day. If you’re drowning already, get help! Advice centres are used to people turning up with bags of unopened bills
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Know how much you have coming in (including for your rent) AND is it the same every month? YES ■ NO ■
MINI-CHALLENGE: Check the past three months’ bank statements. If it varies, add it up and divide it by three. Make sure any Housing Benefit is included
16 Feel certain your money will
last until you next get paid? YES ■ NO ■
MINI-CHALLENGE:
Compare your income to your outgoings. If it’s tight, plan what you can do
10 Have an email account? YES ■ NO ■ MINI-CHALLENGE: Get
17 Know for sure you are getting
online and google LearnMyWay for starters. Or find someone who can show you. It’s really simple
MINI-CHALLENGE: Check online – it’s easy. Find out how: qimag.uk/ futureproofbenefits
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18 Feel totally happy about what
Simply, start checking emails daily. Set them up on your phone so it is super-easy to access them
happens if your income goes up? YES ■ NO ■
MINI-CHALLENGE: Are your fears more about change? Talk to an expert or ‘google’ your question but check it’s a reliable source
12 Have access to the internet? YES ■ NO ■ MINI-CHALLENGE:
Research the best place to get online for at least an hour at a time. If you need help getting started, see if any free courses are offered locally
19 Feel happy using direct debits,
(eg, for paying rent or getting discounts on energy bills), AND know when they go out? YES ■ NO ■
13 Feel confident to say ‘no’ if
someone pressures you into something not right for you? YES ■ NO ■
MINI-CHALLENGE:
Practice. If you’re not happy, stop and take control. Say you need to check things and come back
14 Have and use a current
MINI-CHALLENGE: Open
an account, even if you don’t use it straight away. If you have an account already but can’t use it, you can still get a Basic Bank Account. More info at qimag.uk/ futureproofbanking
15 Know where to find help if you
had money problems? YES ■ NO ■
MINI-CHALLENGE: Look
up your local advice centres. Get online to find Citizens Advice, MoneySavingExpert and Quids in! websites
MINI-CHALLENGE: Think about what you’d do if your income stopped for a few weeks. Read the MoneySavingExpert advice at qimag.uk/ futureproofdebt
MINI-CHALLENGE: Check bills about setting up direct debits and if there are discounts for doing so. Payment dates are on your bank statement
22 Keep costs down by finding
deals when shopping or buying clothes/ essentials? YES ■ NO ■
MINI-CHALLENGE:
Think of five different places you’ve spent money. Find out what discounts or loyalty schemes they offer
23 Want to make more money
and have a plan to do so? YES ■ NO ■
MINI-CHALLENGE: Think about making stuff to sell, dog-walking or flogging old gear. See: qimag.uk/ futureproofincome. Think about work or better paid work – get your CV up-to-date
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account or Basic Bank YES ■ NO ■ Account?
you worry you might not be able to repay? YES ■ NO ■
E L P M A all the help you are entitled to from the state? YES ■ NO ■
11 Check emails every/ most YES ■ NO ■ days? MINI-CHALLENGE:
21 Have no debts or arrears that
20 Plan ahead money-wise
for holidays, birthdays and Christmas/ religious holidays? YES ■ NO ■
MINI-CHALLENGE: Write
down all you spend on annual ‘one-offs’. Add them up and plan how to cover them, eg, by saving up
24 Ever use an online switching
service for cheaper gas or electric, or comparison website, (eg, for insurance)? YES ■ NO ■
MINI-CHALLENGE: Visit an advice agency or get online and check how it works and what to do at qimag.uk/ futureproofswitch
25 Think you will do anything
differently after answering these questions? YES ■ NO ■
MINI-CHALLENGE:
Everyone can do something to improve their finances. Think of one small change, at least, and go for it
MY SCORE:
Quids in! | 5
Odds & Ends “
Payday loans companies said, ‘We know you need a bit of money, do you want some?’. I couldn’t borrow money that I knew I wouldn’t be able to repay.” Jack Monroe, author and campaigner (2014)
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I lost the roof over my head when I had five dependent children, but with time and hard work I got it all
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back.” Denise Robertson, the late agony aunt (2009)
“
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If someone is struggling to keep their head above water, there is a good chance they qualify for certain benefits. Entitledto.co.uk is a great website.” Ricky ‘SkintDad’ Willis, money blogger (2016)
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My grandmother was a great saver d always save she’ and ose, and never purp a for money unless the h touc her target.” hed reac she Reggae of ts Roo Levi fame ce Sau gae Reg
ISDOM
Over the decade, some famous (and some less famous) people have taken time out for Qu ids in! readers
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(2010)
Some people call me tight because I always try to get the cheapest deal. Always shop around.” Craig Phillips, TV DIY expert and Big Brother winner (2011)
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Politicians are nd surprised to fi ink th I . id up we’re not st e us really real people lik d respect.” need to deman Dee’ Deirdre ‘White fits ne Be Kelly, from 4) 01 Street (2
“
Following the de mise of my relationship I ha ve been left heartbroken with two very confus ed adolescents an d a mountain of de bt . Having read yo ur Help Files, I ha ve agreed a budget with all concerne d and the three of us can eat. It is ni ce to know through Qu ids in! that we ar e not alone.” Jaki, Quids in! re ader (2015)
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✆ QUIDS IN! USEFUL NUMBERS
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LOAN SHARKS The National Illegal Money Lending Team tackles loan sharks. To report a loan shark anonymously you can call them 365 days a year on ✆ 0300 555 2222, text LOAN SHARK and your details to 60003 or email them at reportaloanshark@stoploansharks. gov.uk. In Wales call ✆ 0300 123 3311or send an email to imlu@cardiff.gov.uk CREDIT UNIONS Credit unions are not-for-profit organisations that provide bank accounts, loans and savings. They may help people the banks won’t. To find your local credit union call ✆ 0161 832 3694 or visit www. findyourcreditunion.co.uk . BENEFITS • For unemployment and work-related benefits talk to Jobcentre Plus. • People with disabilities or carers should contact the Disabilit y Benefits Centre
6 | Quids in!
(✆ 0345 605 6055) and for Child Benefit and tax credits call Inland Revenue (✆ 0845 300 3900). • Council Tax and Housing Benefit is dealt with by your local council. • Pensioners should call the Pensions Service (✆ 0800 99 12340). • Free benefits calculator www.entitledto.co.uk
DEBT ADVICE For free debt advice and help, contact any of the organisations below. • National Debtline ✆ 0808 808 4000 www.nationaldebtline.co.uk • StepChange Debt Charity ✆ 0800 138 1111 www.stepchange.org • Citizens Advice www.citizensadvice.org.uk. In Wales call ✆ 03444 77 20 20 England call ✆ 03444 111 444 • Christians Against Poverty (CAP) www.capuk.org. ✆ 01274 760720
Quids in! Readers Club Pleased to receive your free Quids in! every three months? Now you can stay in touch all the time with our new Readers Club. Join the growing crowd of money-saving, savvy-shopping, debt-beating, cash-boosting Club members and receive freebies and top tips throughout the year.
Sign up here: qimag.uk/QIClubReg
‘DEL BOY’
SENT TO PRISON
Evil loan shark gets three-and
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a-half years after anonymous tip off.
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£18,000 caravan. As word spread around the estate that Sparey was getting his just desserts, people volunteered to be witnesses against him. It turned out that “Del Boy” was not as popular as his nickname suggested. He’s now serving a three-and-a-half year prison sentence, and his belongings have been sold to help repay the people he preyed upon.
obert Sparey was known as ‘Del Boy’ on the estate. He was a familiar figure in his Motability car, he hadn’t worked since 1990 and was claiming disability benefits, but he’d drive around showing off his big wad of cash, often too big to fit in his trouser
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and you need not give your name. You can use the contact details below to report someone you suspect or know to be a loan shark, and help make sure that they get justice too. And if you’re paying money to a loan shark now, stop and report them. You might never have to pay a penny to them again. You might even be able to get back some of the money you have already paid them. And DO YOU KNOW Phone our 24 Hour hotline you’ll be doing other A LOAN SHARK? on ✆ 0300 123 3311. You people a favour at the Sadly, Sparey is not can remain anonymous. same time. alone. There are many What’s more, WIMLU other nasty people posing will help support you and as friendly lenders, adding to the get you back on your feet again, misery of people already struggling offering advice on your financial with money. And they prey on the problems, and help to get them sorted. most vulnerable members of our End the misery, report that shark communities. now… But you can do something about it,
REPORT THAT SHARK!
pockets. But this cheery image was just a front. Sparey was a loan shark, and made money out of other people’s misery, turning nasty if his demands weren’t met, threatening to burn people’s houses down, or carrying a baseball bat “just in case”. His evil empire came crashing down when an anonymous tip off alerted the Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit (WIMLU). They got a warrant to search his house, where they found £20,000 in cash as well as Rolex watches, gold jewellery and a receipt for a brand new
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sentencing. arey on his way to YOU PLONKER: Sp ’s house was seized from Sparey (Above) The cash urs n from his neighbo money he had take
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FREE T RAININ G If you’re p art
of a housin g associati or commu nity group on , WIMLU o training o ffer free n combati ng loan sh communit arks in yo y. Just call ur 02920 87 email imlu 1090 or @cardiff. gov.uk
WHAT IS A LOAN SHARK?
A loan shark is someone who lends money without a licence from the Financial Conduct Authority. So they do not comply with the laws on lending. This normally means that any loan they offer you is illegal, and they have no right to collect interest on it.
Quids in! | 7
10 years
OF FIGHTING YOUR CORNER
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Quids in! was launched in December 2008 but conceived much earlier. Who knew what a troubled ten years it would be for our readers? Editor Jeff Mitchell looks back
H
S
indsight is a wonderful thing. I can’t believe it’s been ten years since we launched Quids in!. It’s been quite a decade.
how we keep food on the table.
CRISIS RESPONSE
FIRST LISTEN...
The first thing we set out to do was listen. Quids in! was designed for social tenants, benefit claimants and working people barely making ends meet. The people always talked about but rarely talked to… nor listened to. When we ran our first survey, our readers were such amazing help. We knew times were tough but now we had firsthand evidence about what people needed - from Quids in! and from the powers that be. We travel the country reporting what we find from surveys conducted every two years, supported by insurance giant Aviva.
BUILT IT. THEN THEY CAME
DECADE OF CHANGE
From day one, we wanted to help householders avoid the traps that mean being poor costs more. We wanted an end to pay-to-use cash machines on the poorest estates and improved access to lower cost borrowing. By the time we launched, banks had crashed and the country’s finances had tanked. Jobs went, benefits were slashed and VAT went up making everything dearer. Life – and Quids in! – was suddenly about
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Our first issue of Quids in! Magazine
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Our first edition reached 15,000 social tenants but once landlords saw it in their hands, they wanted in. By 2014, we reached a staggering 300,000 households across all four countries of the UK. Putting celebs on the cover set us apart from the usual money advice leaflets. But some, like Jack Monroe and Tanni GreyThompson were totally on our wavelength.
From the start, we followed Universal Credit (UC) and all the welfare reforms. UC making work pay sounded great but it became clear claimants needed more help. They faced chronic delays by not being online or not having a bank account. Without savings to fall back on, many hit crisis point. We couldn’t change the system so we published a UC Guide to help readers avoid the pitfalls. Hearing a lot of local support missed the mark, Quids in! created a new programme of its own. Our money skills sessions are, or soon will be, delivered around the country. Responding to an increasing threat, we work with the Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit in the fight against loansharks. We’ve also teamed up with councils, foodbanks, MIND and other great organisations.
THE VIEW FROM HERE
Who can say what will happen in the next few months, let alone ten years? Many feel things can’t get much worse and we hope they’re right. Most of us don’t have anything left to fall back on. One thing we know is the future is more digital. Quids in! too. Our Readers Club has just won backing from the London Mayor and we hope to reach thousands in the capital and then beyond. Lloyds Bank is helping us bring advice, tips and deals to anyone with an email address. For certain, our next decade will still be about protecting those who just want help getting by. My thanks go to everyone, from readers and paying customers to sponsors and partners – and the Quids in! team. With all your help, we’ll continue fighting our readers’ corner.
Putting celebs on the cover set us apart from the usual money advice leaflets
Jack Monroe really said it how it is about life on a limited budget
Quids in! Universal Credit Guide
EICH CANLLAW CLYFAR AM DDIM I ARBED ARIAN
Quids in! RHIFYN 41 GAEAF 2018 / WWW.QUIDSINMAGAZINE.COM
Ydi’ch Arian yn Ddiogel at y Dyfodol?
GWNEWCH Y PRAWF
E L P M SA d d e n y l 10 m O SEFYLL I FYNY
DROSOCH
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CYNGOR ARBENIGOL AR: ✔GWARIO ✔CYNILO ✔BENTHYCA ✔INCWM
TU ÔL I’R Y D D Y BETH S
N O I D D Y NEW
SIARCOD BENTHYG
YN SLEIFIO I SESIYNAU HELP
Croeso Rŷn ni’n 10 oed! I ble’r aeth yr amser? Mae’n teimlo fel ddoe pan o’n i’n ystyried y syniad o gael cylchgrawn i helpu pobl heb lawer o arian dros ben. Yn y rhifyn hwn, roedd yn braf cael edrych nôl (tudalen 8) ar yr holl newid a fu o’n cwmpas. Ond dewch i ni gael meddwl am y dyfodol am eiliad. Mae’r byd yn teimlo’n lle mwy ansicr nag erioed yn fy nghof i. Ar un ochr, mae pobl yn dweud ei bod hi ar ben arnom. Ar y llaw arall, mae pobl yn dweud y bydd popeth yn iawn. Pwy ddylwn i ei gredu? Rwy wedi penderfynu rhoi trefn ar fy sefyllfa ariannol i. Dyna pam mae gennym ni Brawf Diogelu at y Dyfodol. Sut allwn ni leihau’r effaith os bydd trychineb yn ein taro? Byddai’n dda cael ychydig o arian wrth gefn a CV diweddar yn barod, rhag ofn. Mae’r Prawf i’w weld ar quidsinmagazine.com hefyd. Mae mwy o le yno i gynnig cyngor. Gallwch gofnodi’ch sgôr a chymryd y camau syml. Rhowch gynnig arni eto ymhen ychydig fisoedd i weld a yw’ch sefyllfa’n fwy diogel. Pob hwyl at y dyfodol - beth bynnag a ddaw.
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● Benthycwyr anghyfreithlon ar gyrsiau cynghori
M
ae benthycwyr anghyfreithlon yn sleifio i sesiynau ar gyfer pobl sydd â thrafferthion ariannol, yn ôl un asiantaeth gymorth. Mae Lynne Johnson, cyfarwyddwr Skills Max, yn rhedeg sesiynau cynghori am ddyled yn Swydd Hertford. Dywedodd wrth Quids in! eu bod wedi ffeindio bod benthycwyr yn mynd i’r sesiynau ar y slei. “Menywod oedd pob un ond roedd rhai yno am resymau anonest. Ddywedon nhw mai'r Ganolfan Waith oedd wedi’u hanfon ond bod rhywun wedi datrys eu problemau. Allen nhw roi’r menywod eraill mewn cysylltiad â’r rheiny. “Ffonion ni wedyn a chael
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Jeff, Golygydd
editor@quidsinmagazine.com
gwybod bod pobl wedi cael cynnig benthyciadau. Ar ôl gofyn am weld y gwaith papur, welson ni mai siarcod benthyg oedden nhw.” Dydi hi ddim yn hawdd nabod siarcod benthyg ond mae rhoi benthyg arian heb drwydded yn anghyfreithlon. Mae’r llogau yn enfawr ac mae’r rhai sy'n methu talu yn cael eu bygwth. Mae rhai wedi lladd eu hunain. Yn 2017, soniodd Quids in! am Carol a oedd yn gorfod talu £1,000 y mis i siarc benthyg, fel na allai hi fforddio prynu bwyd. Does dim rhaid talu benthyciadau anffurfiol o dan y gyfraith. Os credwch bod siarc benthyg yn manteisio arnoch, ffoniwch 0300 555 2222 (Lloegr) neu 0300 123 3311 (Cymru). Caiff yr holl alwadau eu trin yn hollol gyfrinachol.
Yn y rhifyn hwn…
Diogelu at y Dyfodol: Pa mor ddiogel yw’ch arian? Cymerwch y prawf Tudalen 4
Cymryd Camau:
10 mlynedd
O SEFYLL I FYNY
DROSOCH
Angen help? Gall arbenigwyr helpu Tudalen 6
Cylchgrawn Quids in!
◆ Cyfeiriad 3 Princes Street, Bath BA1 1HL Ffôn 08456 8049 06 ◆ Golygydd Jeff Mitchell Ebost editor@quidsinmagazine.com ◆ Swyddog Cyfathrebu Dan Fineman Ebost dan@ socialpublishingproject.com ◆ Cyfleoedd Hysbysebu Lisa Woodman Ebost lisa@socialpublishingproject.com ◆ Gwerthiant Lisa Woodman, Rhiannon McNamara, Ebost lisa@socialpublishingproject.com, rhiannon@socialpublishingproject.com ◆ Dylunio Joe Burt ◆ Cartŵm gan Rachel Wotton www.harmfulraes.com ◆ Modryb Ofidiau: Jayne Bellis yn PennySmart © Ni chaniateir atgynhyrchu’r cylchgrawn hwn yn gyfan nac yn rhannol heb ganiatâd ysgrifenedig ymlaen llaw
Mae Quids in! yn gwneud pob ymdrech i sicrhau bod y cynnwys yn gywir wrth fynd i’r wasg. Dylai darllenwyr gymryd cyngor arbenigol os bydd angen. Nid yw Quids in! yn cefnogi unrhyw blaid wleidyddol, ac mae’n bosibl nad yw’r cyhoeddwr na’r golygydd yn cytuno â’r safbwyntiau a gyflwynir Mae unrhyw berthynas â hysbysebwyr neu noddwyr bob amser ar y ddealltwriaeth ein bod yn cadw ein hannibyniaeth olygyddol.
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Bwriad cylchgrawn Quids in! yw helpu pobl i ddeall a rheoli eu harian yn well. Fe’i cyhoeddir bob chwarter gan y Social Publishing Project, sy’n fenter gymdeithasol.
Edrych yn ôl: Mae Quids in! yn 10 oed. Waw! Tudalen 8
Cefnogir cylchgrawn Quids in! gan Aon ac Aviva. Mae Aon yn trefnu yswiriant cynnwys tai gydag Aviva ar gyfer tenantiaid tai cymdeithasol a thai cyngor. Holwch eich landlord a oes ganddynt gynllun yn ei le.
NEWYDDION
CODI’R CAEAD AR…
PEN-BLWYDD QUIDS IN gwasanaeth ebost Clwb Darllenwyr Quids in! ac yn cofnodi sut mae’n gweithio. Yng Nghymru, mae’r Tîm Benthyca Arian Anghyfreithlon yn cefnogi’n gwaith gyda siarcod benthyg. Cawsom arian i baratoi fersiwn ddwyieithog yn sôn am beryglon cymryd benthyciadau gan fenthycwyr didrwydded.
Chewch chi ddim anghofio bod Quids in! yn 10 oed yn y rhifyn hwn. Ond y stori fawr yw bod Maer Llundain wedi’n anrhydeddu ni. Gyda’r wobr Her Arloesi Dinesig byddwn yn gallu gwneud mwy o waith i helpu pobl i fynd ar-lein a gallu defnyddio gwasanaethau bancio yn haws. Bydd Banc Lloyds yn ein helpu i ehangu
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● Rhaid stopio rhoi un taliad i un cartref
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aeth grwpiau menywod ynghyd i feirniadu Credyd Cynhwysol (UC) am ei gwneud yn fwy tebygol bod partneriaid yn gadael menywod a phlant heb yr un geiniog. O dan UC, mae taliadau i bawb sy’n hawlio budd-dal mewn un cartref yn cael eu talu i un cyfrif banc. Ofnir, os oes un partner yn cam-drin y llall, bydd yr un sy’n cam-drin yn cymryd yr arian i gyd heb roi dim i’r llall. Wrth lansio adroddiad, Universal Credit and Financial Abuse: Exploring the Links, dywedodd Dr Nicola SharpJeffs o Surviving Economic Abuse: “Rŷn ni’n amheus iawn o’r syniad o dalu holl arian y teulu i un cyfrif banc lle gall dynion ei gymryd i gyd heb adael dim i’w partneriaid a’u plant.” Cynhaliwyd y cyfarfod yn Nhŷ’r Cyffredin gan y Women’s Budget Group, Surviving Economic Abuse a'r End Violence Against Women Coalition. Bu Aanya a gafodd ei cham-drin yn ariannol yn siarad â’r ASau. Meddai: “Mae llawer o broblemau gyda Chredyd
Cynhwysol yn fy mhrofiad i fel rhiant sengl oedd yn dioddef trais domestig. Ni roddir dim ystyriaeth i sefyllfa ariannol na lles emosiynol rhywun.” Mae Quids in! yn cefnogi’r alwad am ddiwedd i un taliad i un cartref. Gall aelodau o Glwb Darllenwyr Quids In ddarllen mwy am hyn yn: qimag.uk/ qisaysabuse
HELPU CYMYDOG? Mae fy nghymydog oedrannus, anabl yn byw ar ei ben ei hun ond mae pobl yn galw gydag ef ddydd a nos. Es i â llythyr iddo a sylwi nad oedd y gwres ymlaen a bod ganddo glais cas ar ei fraich. Dywedodd ei fod wedi baglu. Weithiau dwi’n clywed gweiddi a dwi’n poeni bod pobl yn cymryd arian ganddo. Ddylwn i wneud rhywbeth? Mrs G Ogden, Lancs
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YMUNWCH YN Y SGWRS…
GWOBR O
£50
YSWIRIO - WIR Wrth ffonio i holi am yswiriant, ges i sioc i pan ddywedodd y ganolfan alwadau y byddai’n rhatach ei brynu ar-lein. £25 yn rhatach! Byddai hynny’n talu am y band eang am dri mis. Gwych! Derbyniwyd trwy quidsinmagazine.com
MODRYB O FIDIAU
POST The Editor, Quids In! 3 Princes Street, Bath BA1 1HL EBOST editor@quidsinmagazine.com TRYDAR @quidsinmagazine
Oes gennych chi neges i ni, neu awgrym am ffordd i arbed arian? Byddwn yn anfon £50 am y llythyr, y neges ebost neu’r trydariad gorau ym mhob rhifyn! Cofiwch gynnwys eich enw a’ch cyfeiriad.
Chwarae teg i chi am boeni, Mrs Ogden. Gwaetha’r modd, mae llawer o bobl yn cael eu cam-drin. Gall fod yn gymhleth. Mae rhai’n ofni ymosodiad corfforol a rhai’n ofni colli ffrind a bod yn unig. Gallech ffonio’r cyngor lleol a gofyn am dîm diogelu oedolion y gwasanaethau cymdeithasol. Efallai y gall Action on Elder Abuse helpu hefyd, ar 080 8808 8141. Neu ffoniwch Linell Gymorth Genedlaethol Trais Domestig ar 0808 2000 247.
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N IA R A H ’C U L E G IO D F W A PR ! in s id u Q L O D O F Y D AT Y anodd, ond mae Bu’r deng mlynedd diwethaf yn ebu yn y blynyddoedd ansicrwydd mawr yn ein hwyn wynebu stormydd nesaf. Sut mae sicrhau y gallwn â Prawf Diogelu’ch ariannol? Dewch i ni ddechrau Arian at y Dyfodol Quids in!
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YDYCH CHI’N:
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i welwyd cyfnod mor ansicr ers cenhedlaeth. Does gennym ni ddim syniad beth sy’n mynd i ddigwydd yn yr wythnosau nesaf, heb sôn am flynyddoedd. Y peth gorau y gallwn ei wneud yw cael tipyn o drefn ar ein harian. Mae’r cwis isod yn cyflwyno popeth mae Quids in! wedi’i ddysgu mewn 10 mlynedd am baratoi at y dyfodol. Cawsom help ein ffrindiau yn DHI (Developing Health and Independence) a Clean Slate Training & Employment hefyd. Bydd hyn yn sicrhau ein bod ar sylfaen fwy diogel o ran tai, iechyd a gwaith.
Meddwl y gallech chi gadw bwyd ar y bwrdd pe bai’ch incwm yn stopio am rai wythnosau? YDW ■ NA ■
Dyma restr o gwestiynau syml am ein hagwedd, ein harferion a’n sefyllfa arferol. Bob tro y byddwch yn ateb ‘Na’, bydd her fach i chi – beth allech ei wneud i newid hynny. Y nifer o atebion ‘Ydw’ yw’ch sgôr. Trwy weithio trwy’r heriau bach dylech fod yn fwy parod ar gyfer y dyfodol, beth bynnag sy'n digwydd. Rhowch gynnig ar y prawf eto ar ôl ychydig fisoedd i weld a yw'ch sgôr yn well. Os ydyw, byddwch mewn gwell sefyllfa i wynebu problemau ariannol. Gwnewch y prawf ar-lein. Cewch fwy o gyngor, awgrymiadau a gwybodaeth. Ewch i qimag.uk/finances
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bythefnos, nodwch bob peth na allech eu gwneud pe bai’ch incwm yn stopio. Meddyliwch sut i ddod dros hyn
HER FACH: Ceisiwch gynilo
Gwybod yn union faint yw'ch gwariant bob mis a faint yw’r rhent? YDW ■ NA ■
HER FACH: Defnyddiwch declyn cyllidebu ar-lein (qimag.uk/futureproofbudget). Costau dierth? Ffeindiwch beth ydyn nhw
Cynilo arian bob dydd neu bob YDW ■ NA ■ wythnos?
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Defnyddio cyfrif cynilo? YDW ■ NA ■
HER FACH: Agorwch gyfrif cynilo. Ar ôl cynilo ychydig bunnoedd, banciwch nhw
HER FACH: Dros ryw
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o leiaf ychydig geiniogau bob dydd. Cynilwch fwy bob dydd os gallwch. Ewch i’r arferiad!
Gwirio’ch cyfrif banc bob dydd? YDW ■ NA ■
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CYMRYD Y PRAWF DIOGELU ARIAN AT Y DYFODOL
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Teimlo’n hyderus ar y rhyngrwyd? Gallu gwglo, llwytho lluniau, gwylio fideos a phostio sylwadau? YDW ■ NA ■
HER FACH: Dechreuwch edrych bob dydd. Beth yw’r ffordd hawsaf i chi? Cael ap y banc ar eich ffôn efallai
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HER FACH: Agorwch eich holl bost bob dydd. Os oes gennych ormodedd, ceisiwch help! Mae canolfannau cynghori wedi arfer â phobl yn dod yno â bagiau o filiau heb eu hagor
HER FACH: Ewch ar
Facebook a dysgu postio newyddion a lluniau. Chwiliwch am fideo amdanon ni trwy gwglo: youtube quids in readers club
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Gwybod lle mae’ch dogfennau ID os oes gennych rai? YDW ■ NA ■
HER FACH: Darllenwch
gyngor Quids in! am gael ar trefn eich ID. Cadwch nhw’n ddiogel mewn un lle
Agor eich holl bost bob dydd? YDW ■ NA ■
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Gwybod faint o arian sy’n dod mewn bob mis (yn cynnwys arian rhent) AC a yw yr un faint bob mis? YDW ■ NA ■
HER FACH: Darllenwch gyfriflenni banc y tri mis diwethaf. Os yw’n wahanol, gwnewch y sym a rhannu â thri. Gofalwch gynnwys Budd-dal Tai
16 Teimlo’n siŵr y bydd eich arian yn para tan i chi gael eich talu nesaf? YDW ■ NA ■
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HER FACH: Cymharwch eich incwm a’ch gwariant. Os yw’n dynn, meddyliwch beth i'w wneud.
YDW ■ NA ■
HER FACH: Ewch ar-lein a
17 Siŵr eich bod yn cael yr holl
gwglo LearnMyWay i gael dechrau. Neu holwch rywun sy’n gwybod. Mae’n syml
fudd-daliadau ac ati y mae gennych hawl iddynt? YDW ■ NA ■
HER FACH: Edrychwch ar lein – mae’n hawdd. Ewch yma: qimag.uk/ futureproofbenefits
negeseuon ebost (bron) bob YDW ■ NA ■ dydd?
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HER FACH: Edrychwch bob
dydd a oes gennych negeseuon. Gosodwch eich ffôn i’w derbyn. Bydd hynny’n ei gwneud yn haws
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digwydd os yw’ch incwm yn codi? YDW ■ NA ■
HER FACH: Ai poeni am
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newid rydych chi? Holwch arbenigwr neu gwglwch eich cwestiwn – gofalwch ei bod yn wefan ddibynadwy
HER FACH: Holwch beth
yw’r lle gorau i fynd ar-lein am o leiaf awr ar y tro. Os oes arnoch angen help i gychwyn, holwch a oes cyrsiau am ddim yn lleol
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uniongyrchol (e.e. i dalu'r rhent neu gael disgownt ar filiau ynni), ac yn gwybod pryd rŷch chi’n talu? YDW ■ NA ■
13 Teimlo’n hyderus i ddweud
‘Na’ os ydych o dan bwysau i wneud rhywbeth sydd ddim yn teimlo’n iawn? YDW ■ NA ■
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Gyfrif Banc Sylfaenol? YDW ■ NA ■
HER FACH: Agorwch gyfrif,
hyd yn oed os na fyddwch yn ei ddefnyddio’n syth. Os oes gennych gyfrif ond na allwch ei ddefnyddio, gallwch gael Cyfrif Banc Sylfaenol. Gwybodaeth yn qimag.uk/ futureproofbanking
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phroblemau ariannol? YDW ■ NA ■
HER FACH: Holwch lle mae
canolfannau cynghori. Chwiliwch am wefannau Cyngor ar Bopeth, MoneySavingExpert a Quids in!
HER FACH: Meddyliwch sut byddai hi pe bai’ch incwm yn stopio am rai wythnosau. Darllenwch gyngor y MoneySavingExpert yn qimag.uk/ futureproofdebt
HER FACH: Darllenwch eich biliau i weld a oes disgownt am dalu trwy ddebyd uniongyrchol. Mae dyddiadau’r taliadau ar eich cyfriflen banc
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chwilio am fargeinion wrth brynu bwyd/dillad/pethau hanfodol? YDW ■ NA ■
HER FACH: Meddyliwch am bum man gwahanol lle rydych wedi gwario. Edrychwch a oes ganddynt fargeinion neu gynlluniau teyrngarwch
23 Awyddus i wneud mwy o arian
ac wedi gwneud cynllun? YDW ■ NA ■
HER FACH: Ystyriwch wneud pethau i’w gwerthu, mynd â chŵn am dro gwerthu hen bethau. Gweler: qimag.uk/ futureproofincome. Meddyliwch am swydd neu swydd well – diweddarwch eich CV
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HER FACH: Ewch ati i
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poeni na allwch eu talu? YDW ■ NA ■
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ymarfer. Os nad ydych yn hapus, stopiwch a rheoli’r sefyllfa. Dywedwch bod angen cael gwybodaeth cyn penderfynu
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20 Trefnu’ch arian ymlaen llaw
ar gyfer gwyliau, pen-blwyddi a'r Nadolig/gwyliau crefyddol? YDW ■ NA ■
HER FACH: Nodwch eich
gwariant ar ddigwyddiadau blynyddol. Adiwch y cyfan a meddwl sut i dalu amdanynt e.e. cynilo
24 Defnyddio gwasanaeth newid
ar-lein i gael nwy neu drydan rhatach neu wefan gymharu (e.e. yswiriant)? YDW ■ NA ■
HER FACH: Holwch asiantaeth gynghori neu ewch i qimag.uk/ futureproofswitch i weld sut mae’n gweithio a beth i’w wneud
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rywbeth yn wahanol ar ôl ateb y cwestiynau hyn? YDW ■ NA ■
HER FACH: Gall pawb wneud rhywbeth i arbed arian. Meddyliwch am o leiaf un newid bach a’i wneud
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Hyn a’r Llall “
Dywedodd cwmnïau benthyciadau diwrnod cyflog, “Rŷn ni’n gwybod bod angen arian arnat. Gymri di beth?’ Allwn i ddim cymryd benthyg arian gan wybod na allwn ei ad-dalu.” Jack Monroe, awdur ac ymgyrchydd (2014)
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Gollais i’r to uwch fy mhen a minnau â phump o blant yn dibynnu arna i, ond gydag amser a gwaith caled fe ges i’r cyfan yn ôl.” Y ddiweddar Denise 9) Robertson, modryb ofidiau (200
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Os yw rhywun yn cael trafferth cadw’u pen uwchlaw’r dŵr, mae’n eithaf tebygol bod budd-daliadau ar gael iddynt. Mae entitledto. co.uk yn wefan wych.” Ricky ‘SkintDad’ Willis, blogiwr am arian (2016)
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Roedd fy nain yn un dda am gynilo. dd Roe hi bob amser yn cynilo at ddiben, a byth yn cyffwrdd â’r arian tan iddi gyrraedd y nod.” Levi Roots o Reggae Reggae Sauce (2010)
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Dros y degawd, mae rhai pobl en wog (a rhai llai enwog) wedi dweud gair wrth dd arllenwyr Quids in!
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Mae rhai pobl yn dweud mod i’n gybydd am geisio cael y fargen orau. Mae’n werth cymharu prisiau.” Craig Phillips, arbenigwr DIY ar y teledu ac enillydd Big Brother (2011)
dion Mae gwleidyd d nad el w o u nn yn sy Dwi’n credu ydyn ni’n dwp. iawn fel ni y dylai pobl go fynnu parch.” Dee’ Deirdre ‘White ts fi ne Kelly, o Be Street (2014)
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Ar ôl i fy mherthy nas chwalu rwy wedi torri fy ng halon ac mae ge n i ddau blentyn dr yslyd iawn a myn yd d o ddyledion. Ar ôl darllen eich cyng or ch i, rwy wedi trefnu cynllun i dalu pa wb ac mae’r tri ohonom yn gallu bwyta. Mae’n dda gwybod trw y Quids in! nad yd yn ni ar ein pen ein huna in.” Jaki, un o ddarlle nwyr Quids in! (2015)
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✆ QUIDS IN! RHIFAU DEFNYDDIOL
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SIARCOD BENTHYG Yng Nghymru, mae Uned Benthyca Arian Anghyfreithlon Cymru yn taclo benthyc wyr di-drwydded. Ffoniwch ✆ 0300 123 3311 neu ebostiwch imlu@cardiff.gov. uk Yn Lloegr, gallwch riportio benthyciwr di-drwydded yn ddi-enw trwy ffonio ✆ 0300 555 2222 bob dydd o’r flwyddyn, neu decstio LOAN SHARK a’ch manylion i 60003 neu ebostio reportaloanshark@ stoploansharks.gov.uk
UNDEBAU CREDYD Mae undebau credyd yn gyrff nid-er-elw sy’n cynnig cyfrifon banc, benthyciadau a chynlluniau cynilo. Gallant helpu pobl nad yw’r banciau’n eu helpu. I ganfod undeb credyd lleol, ffoniwch ✆ 0161 832 3694 neu ewch i www.findyourcreditunion.co.uk. BUDD-DALIADAU • Ar gyfer budd-daliadau diweithdra a rhai’n ymwneud â gwaith, holwch Canolfan Byd Gwaith. • Dylai pobl ag anableddau a’u gofalwyr ffonio’r Ganolfan Budd-daliadau Anabledd
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(✆ 03 45 605 6055) ac, i drafod Budd-dal Plant neu gredydau treth, ffoniwch Cyllid y Wlad (✆ 0845 300 3900). • Eich cyngor lleol sy’n delio â’r Dreth Gyngor a Budd-dal Tai. • Dylai pensiynw yr ffonio’r Gwasanaeth Pensiynau (✆ 080 0 99 12340). • Teclyn cyfrifo budd-daliadau am ddim www.entitledto.co.uk CYNGOR AM DDYLEDION I gael cyngor a help am ddim gyda dyledion, cysylltwch ag un o’r cyrff isod. • National Debtline ✆ 0808 808 4000 www.nationaldebtline.co.uk • StepChange Debt Charity ✆ 0800 138 1111 www.stepchange.org • Cyngor ar Bopeth www.citizensadvice.org.uk. Cymru, ffoniwch ✆ 03444 77 20 20 Lloegr, ffoniwch ✆ 03444 111 444 • Cristnogion yn erbyn Tlodi (CAP) www.capuk.org. ✆ 01274 760720
Quids in! Clwb Darllenwyr Hoffi cael Quids in! am ddim bob tri mis? Nawr gallwch gael gwybodaeth barhaus gyda’r Clwb Darllenwyr. Ymunwch â’r criw o aelodau sy’n hoffi arbed arian, siopa’n gall, clirio dyledion a chynilo ac fe gewch roddion ac awgrymiadau gwych trwy’r flwyddyn.
Rhowch eich enw yma: qimag.uk/QIClubReg
‘DEL BOY’
YN Y CARCHAR
Siarc benthyg creulon
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yn y carchar ar ôl rhybudd di-enw.
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Wrth i bobl y stad ddod i ddeall bod y rhwyd yn cau am Sparey, roedd sawl un yn cynnig tystio yn ei erbyn. Yn y bôn, doedd “Del Boy” ddim mor boblogaidd ag oedd yr enw’n awgrymu. Cafodd ei garcharu am dair blynedd a hanner a gwerthwyd ei bethau i helpu i ad-dalu’r bobl roedd yn elwa arnynt.
oedd Robert Sparey yn cael ei alw’n ‘Del Boy’ ar y stad Roedd pawb yn ei nabod yn ei gar Motability. Roedd heb weithio ers 1990 ac roedd yn hawlio budd-daliadau anabledd ond roedd yn gyrru o gwmpas yn dangos wad mawr o arian papur i bawb - yn aml yn rhy fawr i ffitio yn ei bocedi. O dan y wên roedd cymeriad creulon. Roedd Sparey’n siarc benthyg ac yn elwa ar drafferthion pobl eraill. Roedd yn troi’n gas os oedd pobl yn methu talu, yn bygwth llosgi eu tai a’n cario bat pêl fas “rhag ofn”. Daeth newid byd iddo pan gysylltodd rhywun yn ddi-enw ag Uned Benthyca Arian Anghyfreithlon Cymru (WIMLU). Cawsant warant i chwilio ei dŷ a chanfod £20,000 mewn arian, watshys Rolex, gemwaith aur a derbynneb am garafan newydd sbon gwerth £18,000.
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does dim angen rhoi’ch enw. Gallwch ddefnyddio’r manylion isod i riportio rhywun os ydych yn meddwl neu’n gwybod eu bod yn siarc benthyg a helpu i sicrhau cyfiawnder. Os ydych yn talu arian i siarc benthyg, stopiwch a’u riportio. Efallai na fydd raid i chi dalu ceiniog arall iddynt. Efallai y cewch beth o’r arian YDYCH CHI’N rydych eisoes wedi’i NABOD dalu yn ôl. A byddwch SIARC BENTHYG? yn helpu pobl eraill ar Ffoniwch ein llinell 24 awr Gwaetha’r modd, mae yr un pryd. ar ✆ 0300 123 3311. Does mwy fel Sparey. Mae dim rhaid rhoi’ch enw. Ar ben hynny, bydd llawer o bobl gas yn WIMLU yn eich cefnogi esgus bod yn fenthycwyr ac yn eich helpu i godi yn cyfeillgar, gan waethygu’r ôl ar eich traed, gan gynnig sefyllfa i bobl sydd eisoes mewn cyngor ar eich problemau ariannol trafferthion ariannol. Maen nhw’n a’ch helpu i’w datrys.. manteisio ar y bobl fwyaf bregus yn ein Dewch â’r gofid i ben, riportiwch y cymunedau. siarc… Ond gallwch chi eu riportio, a
RIPORTIWCH Y SIARC!
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ei ar ei ffordd i gael HEN GNAF: Sparey oddi wrth ei ) Arian a gasglodd ddedfrydu. (Uchod o dŷ Sparey arian a gymerwyd gymdogion oedd yr
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HYFFO RDDIA NT AM Os ydych y DDIM n rhan o g ymdeit g
rŵp cymu has dai ne nedol, ma u e WIMLU’n hyfforddia cynnig nt am ddim ar drechu benthyg y siarcod n eich cym uned. Ffon 871090 n iw ch 02920 eu ebostio imlu@card iff.gov.uk
BETH YW SIARC BENTHYG?
Rhywun sy’n rhoi benthyg arian heb drwydded gan yr Awdurdod Ymddygiad Ariannol yw siarc benthyg. Dydyn nhw ddim yn cydymffurfio â’r gyfraith. Fel rheol, mae eu benthyciadau’n anghyfreithlon a does ganddynt ddim hawl casglu llog arnynt.
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10 mlynedd
O SEFYLL I FYNY
DROSOCH E L P M SA
Lansiwyd Quids in! ym mis Rhagfyr 2008 ond daeth y syniad yn llawer cynt. Pwy wyddai pa mor anodd fyddai’r degawd i’n darllenwyr? Golwg yn ôl gan y golygydd Jeff Mitchell
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ae’n braf cael edrych yn ôl. Mae’n anodd credu bod deng mlynedd ers i ni lansio Quids in!. Bu’n dipyn o ddegawd.
daliadau a chodwyd TAW gan godi prisiau. Y cwestiwn mawr i ni – ac i Quids in! – oedd sut i gadw bwyd ar y bwrdd.
YN GYNTAF, GWRANDO…
O’r dechrau, buom yn dilyn Credyd Cynhwysol (UC) a’r holl ddiwygiadau lles. Roedd ‘gwneud i waith dalu’ yn swnio’n wych ond roedd angen mwy o help ar bobl. Roedd pobl oedd heb gysylltiad rhyngrwyd neu gyfrif banc yn wynebu oedi mawr. Heb arian wrth gefn, roedd yn argyfwng ar lawer. Allen ni ddim newid y system ond fe gyhoeddon ni Ganllaw i UC i helpu’r darllenwyr. Wedi clywed nad oedd cymorth lleol yn effeithiol weithiau, sefydlodd Quids in! raglen newydd. Rŷn ni’n cynnig sesiynau sgiliau arian mewn gwahanol ardaloedd. Rydyn ni’n cydweithio ag Uned Benthyca Arian Anghyfreithlon Cymru yn y frwydr yn erbyn siarcod benthyg. Rŷn ni hefyd yn cydweithio â chynghorau, banciau bwyd, MIND a sefydliadau eraill.
Y peth cyntaf a wnaethom oedd gwrando. Cylchlythyr ar gyfer tenantiaid tai cymdeithasol, pobl yn hawlio budddaliadau a rhai a gâi drafferth cael dau pen llinyn ynghyd oedd Quids in!. Roedd llawer o sôn am y bobl hyn ond ychydig oedd yn siarad â nhw na’n gwrando arnynt. Pan gynhaliwyd ein harolwg cyntaf, roedd ein darllenwyr yn help mawr. Gwyddem ei bod yn gyfnod anodd ond nawr gawson ni wybod o lygad y ffynnon am beth roedd pobl yn chwilio – gan Quids in! a gan yr awdurdodau. Rydyn ni’n teithio’r wlad yn sôn am ganfyddiadau arolygon a gynhelir bob dwy flynedd, gyda chefnogaeth cwmni yswiriant Aviva.
LANSIO A THYFU
YMATEB I ARGYFWNG
S
E L P M A
Cyrhaeddodd ein rhifyn cyntaf 15,000 o denantiaid tai cymdeithasol ond pan welodd landlordiaid ef, roedden nhw’n gweld ei werth hefyd. Erbyn 2014, roedden ni’n cyrraedd 300,000 o gartrefi ym mhedair gwlad y DU. Roedd lluniau enwogion ar y clawr – yn wahanol i daflenni cyngor ariannol eraill. Ond roedd rhai, fel Jack Monroe a Tanni Grey-Thompson ar yr un donfedd â ni.
DEGAWD O NEWID
O’r dechrau’n deg, roeddem am helpu pobl i osgoi’r maglau sy’n golygu ei bod yn costio mwy i fod yn dlawd. Roeddem am gael gwared â pheiriannau arian talu-iddefnyddio ar stadau tlawd a’i gwneud yn haws benthyca â llog is. Erbyn i ni lansio, roedd banciau wedi crasho a’r wlad mewn llanast ariannol. Collwyd swyddi, gostyngwyd budd-
8 | Quids in!
Rhifyn cyntaf cylchgrawn Quids in!
EDRYCH YMLAEN
Pwy a ŵyr beth ddigwyddith yn y misoedd nesaf, heb sôn am ddeng mlynedd? Mae llawer yn teimlo na all pethau waethygu llawer – gobeithio hynny. Does gan lawer ohonom ddim byd wrth gefn. Un peth sy’n siŵr yw mai digidol fydd y dyfodol. A Quids in!. Mae Maer Llundain newydd gefnogi ein Clwb Darllen a gobeithiwn gyrraedd miloedd yn Llundain ac yna’r tu hwnt. Mae Banc Lloyds yn ein helpu i roi cyngor, awgrymiadau a bargeinion i bawb sydd â chyfeiriad ebost. Yn sicr, yn y degawd nesaf bydd angen amddiffyn pobl sy eisiau help i gael dau pen llinyn ynghyd. Diolch i bawb – y darllenwyr, y prynwyr, y noddwyr a’r partneriaid – a thîm Quids in!. Gyda’ch help chi, fe wnawn ni ddal i amddiffyn ein darllenwyr.
Roedd lluniau enwogion ar y clawr – yn wahanol i daflenni cyngor ariannol eraill
Jack Monroe yn dweud llygad y gwir am fywyd ar incwm bach
Canllaw Quids in! i Gredyd Cynhwysol