First Defence Finance: How to buy a car when you have £0 saved

Can You Buy a Car When You Have £0 Saved?

You've looked at Auto Trader. You've found a car that suits your needs. The problem is that you don't have the money to pay for it upfront.

If you need a car for commuting, family life or getting between home and base, waiting until you've saved the full amount might not feel practical. Borrowing could help you spread the cost, but it's important to understand how the different options work before committing.

In this guide, we'll walk through the main ways to finance a car, what to compare, and how to make a more informed decision.

What are your options for buying a car with no savings?

If you don't have money set aside for a car, there are several ways you might be able to finance one. Availability depends on the lender, the agreement, and your eligibility.

Find Out More

Blandford: Garrison free mortgage advice session - Wed 2nd Dec

 

This will take place in the Williams Building (Welfare Hub) 1000 - 1400hrs.

This is free no obligation advice for serving personnel, veterans, and their families.

New Appointment Slots.

We will be offering 30-minute slots, but please be aware some may over run slightly. If you think your query may require longer, we can extend the slots for you.

To book your slot please phone the BGSU Welfare Team on 0743 631 8137 or email BLANDFORDGAR-BGSUWELFARE@mod.gov.uk

You can still pop in to see if he is free if you prefer, or phone on the day regarding availability. If you are unable to attend in person you can contact Norton norton@cjmortgagehub.co.uk and make alternative arrangements

Information provided by Bovington HIVE

Serve & Protect Credit Union: Latest Financial Educational Webinars - November and December 2026

Green Living: Simple Eco-Friendly Tips to Lower Your Bills 🌿💸 (New Title for 2026)

Eco-friendly savings webinar | November and December 2026 Dates Released | Limited Availability | Learn more and register for FREE

Green Living: Simple Eco-Friendly Tips to Lower Your Bills | Serve and Protect Credit Union

Budgeting 101 📝 📢

Budgeting explained webinar | November and December 2026 Dates Released | Limited Availability | Learn more and register for FREE 👇

Budgeting 101: Take Control of Your Money | Serve and Protect Credit Union

Saving Made Simple 🐖✅

Tips to boost savings webinar | November and December 2026 Dates Released | Limited Availability | Learn more and register for FREE 👇

Saving Made Simple: Practical Habits to Boost Your Savings | Serve and Protect Credit Union

Credit Score 101 🚀📊

Tips to boost your score webinar | November and December 2026 Dates Released | Limited Availability | Learn more and register for FREE 👇

Credit Score 101: Tips to Boost Your Score | Serve and Protect Credit Union

Financial Resilience: Ready When it Matters ☔🛡 (New Title for 2026)

Preparing for the unexpected webinar | November and December Dates Released | Limited Availability | Learn more and register for FREE 👇

Financial Resilience: Ready When it Matters | Serve and Protect Credit Union

Borrow Smarter: Tips to Strengthen Your Loan Application 🔍💸 (New Title for 2026)

Key things to know webinar | November and December Dates Released | Limited Availability | Learn more and register for FREE 👇

Borrow Smarter: Tips to Strengthen Your Loan Application | Serve and Protect Credit Union

Car Finance: More Than a Monthly Payment 🚗🔑 (New Title for 2026)

Key things to know webinar | December Dates Released | Limited Availability | Learn more and register for FREE 👇

Car Finance: More Than a Monthly Payment | Serve and Protect Credit Union


Please note that registrations are capped to 35 for each session, so they are on a ‘first-come, first-served basis’. However, once registered for a webinar, even if people can't attend the live event - most webinars are then emailed to them to watch in their own time. Find out more at: Serve and Protect Credit Union events | Livestorm

First Defence Finance - How to build a Savings Habit that actually sticks

Struggling to save? Here’s How to Build a Savings Habit That Actually Sticks

Starting to save is one thing.

Keeping it going every month is another.

You might save £50 one month, forget the next, then find yourself dipping into it when an unexpected expense comes along.

The trick isn't necessarily finding more money to save. It's building a savings habit that fits into your everyday life and is easy to keep going.

Whether you're serving, have left the Armed Forces, or are part of a military family, your financial circumstances can change over time. A savings routine that works for you now should be flexible enough to adapt when life does.

We've put together some simple ways to make saving feel less like another job on your to-do list - Click HERE to view.

Hampshire: Hampshire County Council money worries

Please click on the link below to access the HCC website that provides vital information for families who may be struggling due to the cost of living crisis with lots of useful links.

Click HERE for more information.

Information provided by South East HIVE Hub

Department for Work and Pensions: Latest news update

Don’t pay to claim

Claims Management Companies (CMCs) are contacting pensioners, offering to handle claims for benefits like Attendance Allowance or missing Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP), for a fee.

This isn't illegal, but the fees can be several hundred pounds. Some people don't realise they've entered into an agreement until it's too late.

The message we want to get across is straightforward: if you're eligible for these benefits, it's free to claim them. Independent and trusted help* is available for free from organisations including Citizens Advice and Independent Age.

You can visit the campaign site to find out more about how we are protecting our customers from financial harm and also watch our how to apply for Attendance Allowance video.

*For Armed Forces veterans, FREE support with Attendance Allowance claims (and other potential benefits) is also available through MOD Veterans Services. See https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-help-from-veterans-services, which includes contact details, and an online self-referral form.

National Careers Service update

On 1 October 2026, the National Careers Service in England was brought in house to DWP, supporting the creation of a more joined-up service for people at every stage of their career.

Customers will continue to receive free, impartial careers information, advice and guidance from qualified Careers Advisers through telephone, digital, face-to-face and community channels, with existing appointments and support continuing uninterrupted.

Those wishing to contact the service in England can call 0800 072 0288.

The National Careers Service website has been renamed Get careers information and advice, although the URL and existing links will remain unchanged.

Applicable to England only. Careers services are devolved in Scotland (Skills Development Scotland – My World of Work ) and Wales (Careers Wales).

Wales: Family Fund - Helping Disabled Children - Wales Programme

Family Fund - Helping Disabled Children - Wales Programme

Family Fund provides a wide range of grants to families living in Wales raising a disabled or seriously ill child, or young adult, on a low income.

Grants for families living in Wales

Whether you need outdoor play equipment like a swing, slide or trampoline; games, books and music; sensory or play equipment; technology for your child, or a much-needed family break, we are here to help.

Apply for items that will help meet your child’s additional support needs and make life easier.

Take a Break Wales grant scheme opens midday on Monday the 5th of October and will close at 5pm Monday 2nd November 2026.

For more information and to apply, click here.

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

First Defence Partners: What Is a Payroll Saving Scheme?

What Is a Payroll Saving Scheme?

Author: First Defence Finance

We all know that saving money is a good idea. The tricky part is finding something left over at the end of the month to actually save.

A payroll saving scheme makes saving easier by allowing you to save directly from your MOD salary.

Instead of waiting until the end of the month to see what's left, you choose how much you'd like to save, and it is automatically deducted from your pay and put into your savings account.

How does payroll saving work?

The process is straightforward:

You choose how much to save → the amount is deducted from your salary → your employer passes it to the savings provider → your savings build up over time.

You don't need to remember to make a transfer each month, and even a small amount can add up over time.

First Defence Partners: Should You Stop Saving to Repay a Loan or Credit Card?

Should You Stop Saving to Repay a Loan or Credit Card?

When money is tight, it can feel like you have to choose: save money or pay off your debt.

Paying off borrowing sooner can mean paying less interest overall and becoming debt-free faster. But stopping your savings completely can leave you without money to fall back on when an unexpected expense comes along.

So, should you stop saving to repay a loan or credit card? Not always.

Should you save or pay off debt first?

There are good reasons to do both.

If you're paying interest on your debt, making extra repayments could help you pay less interest and clear your debt sooner.

But having some savings means you have money to fall back on if something unexpected happens.

Your car could break down. Your boiler could stop working. You could get an unexpected bill.

Without savings, you may have to use more credit to pay for it.

For some people, the answer may be to keep saving while paying off their debt.

Dept for Work & Pensions: Latest News Update – 2 Oct

 

State Pension Triple Lock announcement

This week the Prime Minister made an announcement on an adjustment to the State Pension Triple Lock.

The current Triple Lock will be maintained until the end of this parliament. The changes are proposed from 2030/31, with the adjusted Triple Lock meaning the State Pension will always increase by at least the highest of 2.5%, Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation or a new earnings link – so that the State Pension will never fall below its level as a share of average earnings when we adjust the Triple Lock.

Serve and Protect Credit Union: Fixed interest rate now increased - Fixed Saver 14 - Guaranteed Return of 4.25% AER

 

Fixed interest rate now increased - 4.25% Fixed-Rate Savings Account - Now Available

Serve and Protect Credit Union are pleased to announce the latest fixed-rate savings account is now available paying a guaranteed return of 4.25% AER.

✅ 4.25% AER fixed for 12 months (starting 1st November 2026)
✅ Balances between £1,000-£10,000
✅No fees or charges
✅Available until 28th October 2026

This is simply for your awareness—it’s not a recommendation.
Please take a look and decide if it’s right for you.

The account is available to apply for between 1st to 28th October 2026 and you need to become a member first – which is free.

You can learn more here:
https://serveandprotectcu.co.uk/save/fixed-saver/
Terms and eligibility criteria apply.

First Defence Partners: Is Saving £25 a Month (Or Less) Worth It?

Is Saving £25 a Month (Or Less) Worth It?

When money is tight, saving for the future can feel like something to think about later.

There are bills to pay, things to buy, and more immediate priorities competing for your money. Putting away £25 a month might not seem like it will make much difference.

But long-term saving is less about how much you can put away today and more about giving your money time to build.

You don't need to start with hundreds of pounds a month. A small, regular amount can help you build the habit of saving and give you the opportunity to build a larger pot over time.

How much can you save by putting away £25 a month?

£25 a month can add up to more than you might expect:

• £300 after 1 year
• £1,500 after 5 years
• £3,000 after 10 years

That's simply the money you've put aside yourself, before any interest or returns.

See what saving £25 a month could look like with interest using a savings calculator.

First Defence Finance: How does the Bank of England Work?

How Does the Bank of England Work?

Author: First Defence Finance

You've probably heard the phrase "the Bank of England has changed interest rates" countless times.

But what does that actually mean?

Who decides whether interest rates go up or down? Why does the Bank of England change them? And how could a decision that gets made in London affect your savings, mortgage or loan?

With the Bank of England's next interest rate decision coming up on 17th September 2026, here's everything you need to know, without the financial jargon.

First, what is the Bank of England?

The Bank of England is the UK's central bank, but it's different from the banks you might use for your current account or credit card.

Its job is to help keep the UK's financial system stable and keep inflation under control.

One of its most important jobs is setting the Bank Rate, the interest rate that influences many other interest rates across the economy.

The Armed Forces Pension Schemes Quick Reference Guide

 To view the quick reference guide to the Armed Forces Pension scheme click on the link below.

Armed Forces Pension Schemes Quick Reference Guide

Defence Update: Local Overseas Allowance rate changes 2026

Local Overseas Allowance rate changes 2026

From 1 October 2026, some Local Overseas Allowance (LOA) rates will go up, and some will go down, depending on the cost of living in your location.

Check the new rates for where you're based before the change takes effect.

LOA explained

LOA is money paid to Service personnel who are working overseas.
It helps cover the extra cost of everyday living overseas, when prices abroad are higher than in the UK.

What's changing and why

Every year, experts check the cost of living in each country. They use information from the Employment Conditions Abroad (ECA) survey and the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This tells us if prices have gone up or down compared to the UK.

Two things to know about this year's changes:

1. Child rate is staying the same: The way LOA works out payments for children is being looked at again. Until this review finishes, child LOA rates will not change.

2. Second car payments are going down: New ONS data shows that running a car in the UK now costs less than before. As LOA compares costs to the UK, this means the second car payment is going down everywhere.

What you need to do

Look up the full details on the new rates for your location. These can be found in the Directed Letter 'Revised Local Overseas Allowance Rates effective from 1 October 2026' (on defnet and Defence Connect).

Your Offer, recognising your service

There are other allowances available to help with essential needs and family wellbeing while you're overseas.

Find out more in JSP 752 or visit Discover My Benefits to explore the range of savings, allowances and opportunities available.

Point of Contact

The Allowances Team: People-AFRem-AllcesGroup@mod.gov.uk

Serve & Protect Credit Union: Free financial education webinars this October

 
🌿 Green Living: Simple Eco-Friendly Tips to Lower Your Bills
When: Thursday 8th - 12:00-12:45
What to Expect: Discover how you can live a greener life to protect the planet and your wallet.

✍ Budgeting 101: Take Control of Your Money
When: Tuesday 13th - 12:00-12:45
What to Expect: Learn how to create a budget that meets your financial goals, with tips to cut spending.

🏡 Wills, Trusts and LPA Explained: Presented in Collaboration with Estates Planning Seminars
When: Wednesday 14th - 12:00-13:30
What to Expect: Discover the options available for protecting your assets and your family.

🌍 Financial Guidance for Global Majority Workers in the UK
When: Thursday 15th - 12:00-12:45
What to Expect: Explore the common challenges faced by Global Majority Workers and the support available.

🐖 Saving Made Simple: Practical Habits to Boost Your Savings
When: Wednesday 21st - 12:00-12:45
What to Expect: Discover 10 practical savings methods to build a healthy savings cushion.

☔ Financial Resilience: Ready When it Matters
When: Thursday 22nd - 12:00-13:00
What to Expect: Discover why financial resilience is so important, with simple tips to improve your resilience.

🚀 Credit Score 101: Tips to Boost Your Score
When: Friday 23rd - 12:00-12:45
What to Expect: Understand the importance of credit scores, with simple tips to improve your score.

💷 Borrow Smarter: Tips to Strengthen Your Loan Application
When: Thursday 29th - 12:00-12:45
What to Expect: Explore the journey of a loan application, the factors lenders evaluate, and what to do before applying.

🔗 Register for free here: sandpcu.co.uk/hs-webinars

Motorfinity Community Update (September 2026)

Motorfinity Community Update (September 2026)

Your role could unlock more than you think with Motorfinity

The new 76 plate is here

The new 76 plate has arrived — and if you work in the NHS, emergency services, armed forces, education, social care or another eligible sector, your role could unlock exclusive savings on a brand-new car.

With selected vehicles available for quick delivery, you could be behind the wheel of a new 76 plate sooner than you think.

More than just a saving

Depending on your eligibility and the manufacturer, Motorfinity customers can access:

• Exclusive discounts on brand-new cars
• A wide choice of leading manufacturers
• Family discounts with participating brands
• Flexible finance options
• Part exchange
• UK-wide delivery
• Expert support from first browse to delivery

Department for Work & Pensions update: Do you know your state pension age?

With Pension Awareness Week 2026 ongoing, DWP are encouraging customers, service users, colleagues and stakeholders to take one simple first step: checking their State Pension age on GOV.UK.

As State Pension entitlement is linked to National Insurance contributions, the Service community are reminded that spouses or civil partners who accompanied their Serving partner on an overseas assignment can complete a Gov.uk online form to request that NI credits are applied to their record for time spent overseas. For further information, eligibility criteria and the online form, please go to: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-insurance-credits-for-partners-of-armed-forces-personnel-overseas

Department for Work & Pensions update: Do you know your state pension age?

With Pension Awareness Week 2026 ongoing, DWP are encouraging customers, service users, colleagues and stakeholders to take one simple first step: checking their State Pension age on GOV.UK.

As State Pension entitlement is linked to National Insurance contributions, the Service community are reminded that spouses or civil partners who accompanied their Serving partner on an overseas assignment can complete a Gov.uk online form to request that NI credits are applied to their record for time spent overseas. For further information, eligibility criteria and the online form, please go to: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-insurance-credits-for-partners-of-armed-forces-personnel-overseas

Department for Work & Pensions: Latest news updates

Loved ones of asbestos and dust-disease victims to receive fairer compensation

Families who have lost loved ones to asbestos and other dust-related diseases will get higher compensation payouts, as part of the Government’s effort to support bereaved families.

Workers who develop asbestos-related and dust-related diseases like mesothelioma and pneumoconiosis caused by their work can claim a one-off payment from the Government if they haven’t already secured compensation from their employer.

This is often the only option available to sufferers, since it can take years for these diseases to develop, meaning the employer responsible has usually gone out of business by the time someone is diagnosed.

However, under the current system the payment is passed to their grieving family at a reduced rate if it is paid after the sufferer dies. New legislation will ensure that dependants will receive the same rate as sufferers, in full.

Read the press release

*The MOD War Pension Scheme also provides for asbestos exposure claims attributable to Service, such as Diffuse Mesothelioma. See https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-for-veterans-diagnosed-with-diffuse-mesothelioma

Major work experience drive for young people

Young people will be given vital work experience opportunities thanks to a major initiative between government and Britain’s leading retailers – with the ambition to create up to 100,000 jobs by the end of the Parliament.

Alongside the sector’s ambitions of creating 100,000 jobs, the British Retail Consortium and DWP are launching a new work experience programme, Opening Shift, which will see 18-24-year-olds looking for work offered two to four weeks of hands-on experience as part of more than 11,000 placements with Britain’s biggest retailers, including Tesco, John Lewis, Waitrose, Curry’s and Costa Coffee, complete with dedicated workplace support and interview experience.

The DWP will manage the pipeline of eligible young Universal Credit customers who will be referred to the voluntary programme through jobcentres, and the retailers will provide the placements and wider support, with 16 to 35 hours of work experience provided each week for two to four weeks.

They could be offered a permanent role if one is available, be put on the retailer’s talent bank, or directed towards apprenticeship and other opportunities.

Read the press release

Pension Awareness Week 2026

As part of Pension Awareness Week, Pension Geeks is offering free online events, including a session on how MoneyHelper can help you. Visit the Pension Awareness Week website for more information.