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lewishamplus.bsky.social
LPCU is a financial cooperative owned and run by its members. We provide ethical savings and loans to those living in the boroughs of Lewisham and Bromley.
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We're looking forward to the Annual ABCUL Conference this month! ๐Ÿ’ฌ Directors Paul and Stephen, as well as Liam, Peggy, Janet and Ravi will join fellow credit union professionals to discuss our sector's current key issues & innovations. ABCUL Conference update to come! โžก๏ธ

ยฃ10 a week or ยฃ100; putting money aside regularly gives you peace of mind. You know there's a net to fall back on should the unexpected happen. We make saving simple! Save as much as you like, as often as you like. ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Start weaving your money-net! ๐Ÿ“Œ buff.ly/4gCC6pA

๐Ÿ“ˆ Borrow as much as ยฃ15,000 and pay as little as 9.4% APR with a Personal Loan! Designed for those after a little support with one of lifeโ€™s big moments, a Personal Loan comes with fair rates, flexible repayment options, and never with extra fees.๐Ÿ‘‡ buff.ly/4kaSaks

Are you paying unnecessary costs? ๐Ÿ‹๐Ÿปโ€โ™€๏ธ An unused gym membership? ๐ŸŽฌ Multiple streaming subscriptions? ๐Ÿ“ฒ A free trial period you forgot to cancel? ๐Ÿšš A next-day delivery service you don't need? The pounds add up, so a subscription clearout could save you 100s each year.๐Ÿ’ฐ

Founded by bereaved families, we understand the traumatic impact of losing someone to gambling suicide. If you, or someone you know, has lost a loved one to gambling suicide, please get in touch. We run a bespoke support service that is free to use. www.gamblingwithlives.org/family-service/

๐ŸŽฏ Suits Meยฎ; safe, secure savings that suit you. A Suits Me account takes minutes to set up! No complex steps like address or credit checks. โœ… Instant payments, cashback & discounts, no minimum balance... a rewarding option for every level of saver! https://buff.ly/3XgNGil

Services that improve lives hardly need promoting. Almost half of Lewisham Plus members joined us thanks to word-of-mouth, because when people find fair, ethical financial support, they naturally want to share it with those they care about! ๐Ÿ’ฌ https://buff.ly/3ZTq7hh

Borrowing with LPCU is borrowing that works for you! ๐Ÿ“Œ We offer a range of loans to suit a range of circumstances. Our loan calculator works out your tailored repayment options before you apply, ensuring our members borrow responsibly & confidently. โœ… https://buff.ly/40vHmpp

๐Ÿ“ฆ Need help with essentials? Or got unwanted items to clear out? Head to @lewdonationhub.bsky.social The Lewisham Donation Hub accepts everything from fridges to footwear. They've redistributed ยฃ25 million worth of donations - a fantastic way to give your old stuff a new lease of life. โ™ป๏ธ

Consumer goods prices rose by nearly 10% in 2022 - the fastest rate in four decades. Inflation has eased, but living costs are still high. Anyone can fall into a crisis. This member story shows the impact of accessible finance, and we're proud to be able to make a difference! ๐Ÿ’ฌ

Real wages are growing at their fastest rate since 2007 (excluding the pandemic). Good news but a lot more to do.

At LPCU, our profits don't go to external shareholders. We're owned by our members; YOU are a shareholder. ๐Ÿ‘ฉ๐Ÿป๐Ÿ‘จ๐Ÿพโ€๐Ÿฆฑ Our money stays in our community, so LPCU members receive an annual dividend on their savings. Another benefit of saving with a CU! ๐Ÿงฉ https://buff.ly/4gxfrKs

It's hard to stay on top of multiple repayments - but we have an affordable, ethical offer for Lewisham. ๐Ÿค ๐ŸŽฏ The @lewishamcouncil.bsky.social Consolidation Fund puts repayments into one lower-interest loan, making debt manageable. Get in touch to learn more! https://buff.ly/3ZV0WK3

Stuck on how to treat that special someone this Valentine's Day? ๐Ÿ’Œ We've got you. Flowers and chocolates are so last year. Tell them how much they mean to you with a heartfelt financial line... Who said money couldn't be romantic? ๐Ÿ’˜ https://buff.ly/4hPH6Hg

โ†ฉ๏ธ #ThrowBackThursday... The 2025 ABCUL Conference is next month, so we wanted to look back at one win from last year! Liam and Paul received Pioneer Awards in recognition of years of dedication to the sector - a very proud moment, and we can't wait for this year's event.๐ŸŽ–๏ธ

"Buy Now, Pay Later", or BNPL, offers are everywhere. Companies like Klarna let you make a small deposit, then pay off the cost in future interest-free payments, with no hard credit check. ๐Ÿ›๏ธโœจSounds tempting, doesn't it?โœจ๐Ÿ›๏ธ โš ๏ธ However, there are lots of risks of using BNPL:

Research from the Money Advice Service shows that 66% of employees using a salary deduction scheme save regularly, compared to just 44% of non-members. Our payroll scheme is free to set up and easy to use. If you work in South London, don't miss out!๐Ÿ‘‡ https://buff.ly/3EwrMkE

We offer loans to suit all sorts of circumstances, but a favourite amongst LPCU members is the Save As You Borrow Loan. It's a great option if you need help to build your savings and can even help improve your credit score! ๐ŸŽฏ https://buff.ly/3Qc5abX

Today is #TimeToTalkDay - the nationโ€™s biggest mental health conversation! Getting a problem off your chest is one of the best ways to solve it. If you've got any sort of money worries, Money Helper UK offers guides on those tricky conversations. ๐Ÿ’ฌ https://buff.ly/40zXmFk

When you go to ""spend a penny"", you probably don't open your wallet. In this instance, a penny isn't a small coin... But did you know that phrase was coined (see what we did there?) in Crystal Palace? Yes - it was in South London that the first person "spent a penny!" ๐Ÿช™

๐Ÿ– Our Share Accounts have high interest rates and are simple to set up, making them a wise choice if you're looking for somewhere to keep your savings. Not sure? Here are a few more benefits Share Account users enjoy.๐Ÿ‘‡ https://buff.ly/3PT27VM

The average UK household spends ยฃ15 on alcohol a week, and the average person spends ยฃ62,899 over a lifetime. ๐Ÿ˜ฎ ๐Ÿšซ๐Ÿท if you tried #DryJanuary, maybe you should try a dry February! Here's how much each unit of alcohol sets you back... think what you could do with the extra cash!

Last year's repayments weighing you down? ๐Ÿ’ฐ We can help. Credit union consolidation loans are an ethical answer to making debts more affordable. By combining everything into one loan with lower interest rates, we simplify repayments & ease the burden. โ˜๏ธ

Buying a property is an exciting prospect. However, the mortgage process is extremely stressful and often confusing.๐Ÿก โœ… We've put together a simple, three-step guide which should make it a little easier for anyone with a big move on the horizon!

Christina's been part of LPCU for 5 years thanks to our payroll programme, greatly benefitting from the supportive member network.๐ŸŒ She's also a dedicated NHS worker who always finds the time to get involved with our work. Thank you, Christina, for this lovely review!

๐Ÿฆˆ At least one member of 7% of UK households has borrowed from an illegal lender - a statistic that shows how easy it is to be caught out. Remember that help is always available. The Stop Loan Sharks app is a quick way to access free, impartial advice.๐Ÿ‘‡ https://buff.ly/3Wvj8cn

๐ŸŽ“ It's the #InternationalDayOfEducation, and a key part of a child's education lies in learning how to manage their finances. A Young Savers Account is a fun, hands-on approach to understanding money. Give them the right financial start in life! ๐ŸŒฑ https://buff.ly/3DgzS05

๐Ÿš€ Weโ€™re proud to announce an impressive increase in savings, loans, and membership here at LPCU over the past year, meaning our member dividend is forecast to increase subject to approval at our AGM on March 17th! A year of excellent, accessible financial services.๐Ÿ’š

Finally getting around to some household refreshes this year? ๐Ÿ”„ ๐Ÿ  Our Household Goods Loans help with everything from replacing worn-out furniture to upgrading large electricals and white goods. We can even lend a hand with school uniforms! https://buff.ly/42cxvGg

This resource created by Fair4All Finance shows how there's no "one size fits all" way to combat financial exclusion. As a Community Development Credit Union, we're proud to work with many fantastic organisations like Fair4All and play in the movement to make finance fair! ๐ŸŽฏ

๐Ÿ‘ฉ๐Ÿปโ€๐Ÿ’ป If you ever feel overwhelmed by today's technology, ClearCommunityWeb hosts free Digital Drop-Ins every Monday across Bromley. They'll answer questions about your tech devices - whether it's a one-off issue or just developing your skills. ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ https://buff.ly/3ChmZmh

Still not set a New Year's resolution? It's not too late! โณ The "1p Challenge" is a simple, effective way to save smarter this year. Just put aside a penny a day; So, on day one you save 1p, the next 2p, then 3p, and so on. In 365 days' time, you'll be almost ยฃ670 richer! https://buff.ly/2MNNjHE

When you borrow with a credit union, you know you're borrowing responsibly. We focus on affordability, ensuring your loan's within your means and offering flexible plans to suit your situation. ๐Ÿ“Œ Get started with our free loan calculator! ๐Ÿงฎ: https://buff.ly/40vHmpp

๐Ÿ‘‰ Our 2024 survey proved the impact of our work, with over half of members reporting that LPCU has improved their financial situation and given access to affordable loans. We're always looking for ways to improve these services, too. We want to see the number rise in 2025!

The three Ps of budgeting... ๐Ÿ“ƒ Payslip, ๐ŸŽฏ Priorities, โœ… Plan! Personal finances needn't be overwhelming. Just keep these three key words in mind, and you'll be well on your way to a healthy savings account this year!

PrizeSaver - savings accounts that gives back! Each ยฃ1 in your PrizeSaver is an entry into a monthly draw, with huge cash prizes available. ๐Ÿ’ฐ ๐Ÿ€ LPCU members had a golden 2024, collectively winning over ยฃ15,000. Could you join them this year? https://buff.ly/4hbRIjo

Given the financial pressures of the winter season, Stop Loan Sharks has been working even harder over the past months. As experts in illegal money lenders, they provide free advice on safe borrowing. Anyone can be caught out, so never struggle alone.๐Ÿ‘‡ https://buff.ly/33TNnx3

๐Ÿ‘‰ If you live in Lewisham and you're struggling with winter payments, remember that the Lewisham Council Consolidation Loans Fund is still available. Anyone can fall behind with today's rising costs, so don't hesitate to get in touch to find out more.โคต https://buff.ly/3ZV0WK3

Recently we convened the 5th meeting of the Financial Inclusion Action Group, bringing together stakeholders from across mainstream financial services, community finance, third sector orgs and other driving forces passionate about reducing financial exclusion. fair4allfinance.org.uk/financial-in...

You've got 350 days to get on track for Christmas 2025! ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ And where better to keep your savings than with a credit union? With the flexibility to save when you like and the bonus of an annual dividend, LPCU Savings Accounts make money simple. ๐ŸŽ https://buff.ly/4gCC6pA

๐Ÿง  Today's local trivia should be a no-brainer for Crystal Palace fans! And even if South Londoners who don't follow football will have seen this logo many a time. But how good is your attention to detail? Do you know which bird represents our local team? โšฝ

A new year is an opportunity to try new things, so if you've never followed a budgeting strategy, now's a great time to start! Give this 50-30-20 rule a go: ๐Ÿ  Spend 50% of your money on needs. ๐ŸŽก 30% on wants. ๐Ÿ’ฐ Put 20% into savings. It's an easy way to split your income!

Happy New Year! ๐Ÿพ๐ŸŽŠ A big thank you to the South London community for all of the support over the last 12 months. And whether youโ€™re looking to save, borrow, or simply plan ahead, remember your local credit union will be around to help make 2025 your best financial year... โœจ

The days between Christmas & New Year's are strange. Work's quiet, children off school, and nobody's sure what to do with themselves. So it's the perfect time for some financial planning! Start your your 2025 budget - made easy by this free calculator. โœ… https://buff.ly/4gVkPYs

We hope everyone's Christmas Day was filled with festive cheer! โ›„ A reminder that our branches remain closed today, and we are operating with reduced hours on Friday and Saturday. The usual schedule returns next week. In the meantime, enjoy all twelve days of Christmas! ๐ŸŽ‰

If you can't crack a cheesy joke on December 24th... then when can you? ๐ŸŽ…๐Ÿผ ๐Ÿฅ‚ Wishing a very merry Christmas to all LPCU members, staff, and partners. Enjoy tomorrow's celebrations - you deserve it!

๐Ÿ“Œ A quick notice about Christmas opening hours! All LPCU branches will, of course, be closed on the 25th and 26th. We'll also close earlier than usual on Friday 27th & Saturday 28th. Don't forget you can access our services 24/7 via the LPCU app! โญ https://buff.ly/4gvpEbb

A last-minute stocking filler for just ยฃ1! ๐Ÿงฆ๐Ÿ‘‡ With sticker rewards and colourful stationary, Young Savers Accounts give children a fun way to learn about money. Toys will be forgotten, but a financial headstart is a gift they'll keep for life. ๐ŸŽ https://buff.ly/3DgzS05