The cost of living crisis is squeezing pockets everywhere, so if you're feeling the pinch, you're not alone. We've collated a few things that might help.

You may like to use our budget calculator to understand what’s coming in and going out of your account – so you can work out how your change of situation will affect your finances.

Also check out our money-saving tips for 10 ways to help you save.

If your situation means you’re going to be late with a loan, mortgage or credit card payment (or if you’ve already missed one) it’s important you get in touch with us asap. You can do this by clicking on the 'Chat to Cora' button (bottom right of this webpage) and typing ‘Struggling financially’ to get the conversation started. Or you can reach us through your mobile app – tap ‘Help’ to message us and chat to Cora.

The sooner you talk to us, the sooner we can help you sort things out.  We can give you some options to help you through a difficult patch so you can stay in control of your finances.

There are a few reasons why your account might have been moved into our collections team. Please get in touch with us asap – so we can fill you in and help you decide what to do next.

To give you the best possible help, we’ll need to know a little about your current situation. We’ll ask you what money you have coming in and going out each month, so we can work with you to try to bring your accounts back inside your agreed limits. Once you’re back on track, you’ll be able to carry on with normal banking.

You can talk to us straight away by using the 'Chat to Cora' button (bottom right of this webpage) and typing ‘Struggling Financially’ to get the conversation started. Or you can reach us through your mobile app – tap ‘Help’ to message us and chat to Cora.

You'll need to have the right money in your account by 2.30pm on the due date – otherwise your Direct Debit will be returned unpaid.

You can put some money in your account right now through your mobile app:
1. Log into the NatWest app (don't have the app? Download it at your app store).
2. Tap on the 'Payments' icon at the bottom of the screen.
3. Tap 'Transfer money'.

Or to pay from another bank account:
Log into the account you want to send money from, then when prompted, enter your account details.

If you’re unable to put enough money in your account to cover the Direct Debit, you'll need to get in touch with the company you’re paying and make another arrangement.

Just so you know – there’s a monthly charge for payments that don't go through. Find out more at our support centre.

Depending on your particular situation, your credit file may be affected by missed or late payments on your loan or credit card – or if you’re continuously overdrawn beyond your agreed overdraft.

The info we report to credit reference agencies will vary depending on your payment history or if you’ve made a repayment plan with us which you’re sticking to. If you haven’t made a contractual or repayment arrangement, then a missed payment may be registered on your credit file. See our credit scoring guide to find out more.

To get up-to-date information on your credit report please refer to one of the three main agencies in the UK: Equifax, Experian or TransUnion.

A missed payment can impact you now and for up to six years, so we urge you to get in touch with us to understand your current position. You can talk to us straight away by using the 'Chat to Cora' button (bottom right of this webpage) and typing ‘Struggling with overdraft’ to get the conversation started. Or you can reach us through your mobile app – tap ‘Help’ to message us and chat to Cora.

If you’re struggling to keep up with your payment and you’re in financial difficulty, you’ll find lots of help and advice in our money worries portal.

You may also like to get some free, independent advice. There are lots of debt advice organisations and charities out there who offer free, confidential support. They can work with you to create a personalised action plan to help you get back on track. 

We’re partnered with one of these organisations: PayPlan, whose friendly service is completely free of charge. You can call them on 0800 280 2816 (Relay UK 18001 0800 280 2816) or get instant debt advice online.

If you’ve received a formal demand from us and you’re not on a repayment arrangement, it’s really important you get in touch with us asap if you’re not sure why this has been sent to you.

If you don’t meet the demand by the deadline on your letter, this may be recorded on your credit file for up to a period of six years.

If you’re unable pay back what you owe and you’re struggling financially, you’ll find lots of help and advice in our money worries portal.

You may also like to get some free, independent advice. There are lots of debt advice organisations and charities out there who offer free, confidential support. They can work with you to create a personalised action plan to help you get back on track. 

We’re partnered with one of these organisations: PayPlan, whose friendly service is completely free of charge. You can call them on 0800 280 2816 (Relay UK 18001 0800 280 2816) or get instant debt advice online.

If you’re struggling to afford your repayments, please tell us asap so we can help you get back on track. E.g. we could give you some options that may be more doable for you.

You can talk to us straight away by using the 'Chat to Cora' button (bottom right of this webpage) and typing ‘Credit card struggles’ to get the conversation started. Or you can reach us through your mobile app – tap ‘Help’ to message us and chat to Cora.

As well as speaking to us, you may like to get some free, independent advice. There are lots of debt advice organisations and charities out there who offer free, confidential support. They can work with you to create a personalised action plan to help you get back on track. 

We’re partnered with one of these organisations: PayPlan, whose friendly service is completely free of charge. You can call them on 0800 280 2816 (Relay UK 18001 0800 280 2816) or get instant PayPlan debt advice online.

For general advice for customers struggling with payments, see our money worries portal.

If you’re struggling to afford your mortgage payments, please let us know asap so we can tell you about some options that may be more doable for you. E.g. you may be able to reduce your payments for a while to help you get through a tricky patch – or arrange to pay smaller amounts back over a longer period.

You can talk to us straight away by clicking the 'Chat to Cora' button (bottom right of this webpage) and typing ‘Struggling to pay my mortgage’ to get the conversation started. Or you can reach us through your mobile app – tap ‘Help’ to message us and chat to Cora.

For general advice about staying on top of your payments, see our mortgage portal.

As well as speaking to us about your money worries, you may like to get some free, independent advice. There are lots of debt advice organisations and charities out there who offer free, confidential support. They can work with you to put together a personalised action plan to help you get back on track. 

We’re partnered with one of these organisations: PayPlan, whose friendly service is completely free of charge. You can call them on 0800 280 2816 (Relay UK 18001 0800 280 2816) or get instant debt advice online. 

If you’re having difficulty with your loan repayments, please tell us asap so we can help you get back on track. E.g. we could give you some options that are more doable for you. 

You can talk to us straight away by using the 'Chat to Cora' button (bottom right of this webpage) and typing ‘Struggling financially’ to get the conversation started. Or you can reach us through your mobile app – tap ‘Help’ to message us and chat to Cora.

As well as speaking to us, you may like to get some free, independent advice. There are lots of debt advice organisations and charities out there who offer free, confidential support. They can work with you to put together a personalised action plan to help you get back on track.

We’re partnered with one of these organisations: PayPlan, whose friendly service is completely free of charge. You can call them on 0800 280 2816 (Relay UK 18001 0800 280 2816) or get instant debt advice online.

For general advice for customers struggling with payments, see our money worries portal.

If you’re struggling with your overdraft payments, please tell us asap so we can help you get back on track. E.g. we could give you some options that are more doable for you. 

To firstly check if you might be able to get an extension, see our overdraft advice portal.

Need one-to-one help? You can talk to us straight away by using the 'Chat to Cora' button (bottom right of this webpage) and typing ‘Struggling with overdraft’ to get the conversation started. Or you can reach us through your mobile app – tap ‘Help’ to message us and chat to Cora.

As well as speaking to us about your money worries, you may like to get some free, independent advice. There are lots of debt advice organisations and charities out there who offer free, confidential support. They can work with you to put together a personalised action plan to help you get back on track. 

We’re partnered with one of these organisations: PayPlan, whose friendly service is completely free of charge. You can call them on 0800 280 2816 (Relay UK 18001 0800 280 2816) or get instant debt advice online.