This webpage is a legacy of the Future Transactions Project, funded by the Scottish Government Scottish Veterans Fund.
Young adulthood can be overwhelming, particularly when you have a parent or carer in the Armed Forces.
Where will I live? What will I do for work or study? How do I budget for day-to-day and monthly expenses?
While young people from forces families are used to having additional responsibilities, the decisions you need to make come at you fast.
If you’re from a Veteran family, the transition to civvy street poses its own financial challenges. We’ve listened to children and young people from Veteran families, and they’ve asked us to share support and resources that will help all young people from Forces families find their footing.
These tools and resources have been selected by other young people to help you manage your money and plan for the future.
What young people have told us
Managing money today comes with all kinds of financial pressures. In-game purchases on platforms like Roblox, Xbox and PlayStation and a growing culture of online gambling make it all to easy to spend. Social media adds another layer, with influencers and TikTok Shop pressuring you to impulse buy (and targeted ads once you turn 18). New social settings, like a student night out, can bring their own financial strain. With all this to navigate, it helps to be informed and have a plan for how to manage your money.
A good first step towards financial health is knowing exactly where your money is going. Use this free budget planner from MoneyHelper to map out your income and spending in a few minutes.
Here are some of the most-requested resources from young people leaving school and considering their next steps.
Choosing your university accommodation: Choosing where to live when you go to university is a big decision: your accommodation affects your finances, your social life, and your overall wellbeing, so it’s worth taking the time to think through your options:
How to sort your finances for living independently: To deliver Future Transactions, we partnered with Money Ready to equip young people with financial knowledge and confidence, and they found this article especially useful: ‘Whether you’re moving out because of a new job, for university or simply seeking independence, living independently for the first time can be both exciting and daunting, especially when it comes to managing finances.’
Young Scot: Money & Me
Are you looking for a simple explainer on budgeting, saving, tax, and other financial topics?
YoungScot has a collection of articles and how-to guides, written with young people in mind.
Money & Me
Money Helper: Practical tools
Money Helper is a free, UK-wide service available to everyone. In addition to their budget planner, they offer other clear guidance and tools, including:
Savings calculator Managing your money guide
The Mix: Money and Employment
The Mix offers support and a digital community for young people:
‘Whether you’re job hunting, starting work or just trying to manage your money, we have the info you need.’
Articles and more
