Money Wise is a financial education initiative developed by Carmarthenshire Trading Standards Service aimed at increasing the financial capability of the residents of Carmarthenshire. Since 2009, we have been delivering Money Wise lessons to year 6 pupils using specifically designed workbooks that take a sequential look at the concept of money.

Currently the website is designed for use in primary schools. However, in the future we hope to develop additional modules that are suitable for secondary schools, youth clubs and other social groups.

This website covers all the same themes as the workbooks therefore you will learn about employment & education, wages, payslips, income tax, budgeting, needs & wants, borrowing money and consumer rights. (See 'About us').

Yes. The programme is designed to cover the following elements of KS2 Literacy & Numeracy Framework and PSE Framework:

You can register by contacting Carmarthenshire Trading Standards:

Carmarthenshire County Council
3rd Floor, Ty Elwyn
Llanelli
Carmarthenshire
SA15 3AP

Tel: 01267 234567

Email: moneywise@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

Carmarthenshire Trading Standards developed the Money Wise initiative following a Local Authority review of poverty in 2008-9, which found that the average household income in Carmarthenshire (£28,860) was 5.6% below the Welsh average at the time, and identified that prevention measures are vital to reducing poverty. While the average income has risen to £30,307 the Carmarthenshire Citizens' Advice Bureau noted an increase in the number of people seeking advice on pay-day loans during 2012-13 and helped 1,814 individuals with debts totalling over £5million, that same year.

Furthermore, with responsibility for enforcing the Consumer Credit Act in Carmarthenshire, Trading Standards works closely with the Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit (WIMLU), and regularly see consumers in financial difficulty and at risk of falling victim to loan sharks.

Illegal money lenders, or loan sharks, are people who lend money without the legal authorisation required to do so. They often charge very high interest rates and often use intimidation and violence to get money from their victims.

If you spot a loan shark or you've borrowed money from one you can report them anonymously to the relevant Illegal Money Lending Unit.

Wales Illegal Money Lending Unit

Email: imlu@cardiff.gov.uk
Tel (24-hr service): 0300 123 3311
Text: LOAN SHARK and the lender's details to 60003

England Illegal Money Lending Team

Email: reportloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk
Tel (24-hr service): 0300 555 2222
Text: LOAN SHARK and the lender's details to 60003

Scotland Illegal Money Lending Team

Email: loansharks@glasgow.gov.uk Tel: 01412 876 655

Find out about call charges

For free, impartial advice on all money matters, including debt you can contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

If you're a Carmarthenshire resident you can contact the Carmarthenshire Citizens Advice Bureau direct on 01267 231275.