Families hoping to get ahead for Christmas have already faced a lot of financial uncertainty this year - but there's still more to come.
It can be hard to budget when you don't know what's around the corner, especially if you are on a low income, and there's been plenty of pressure on household budgets already this year. But the good news is that some of the changes afoot could actually help your festive celebrations instead of hinder them.
A lot of the Government's cost of living payments are due to hit your bank account before Santa comes, but there's other changes that might impact you that are not so welcome.
Read more: Energy companies announce how customers will get £400 rebate this winter
Here's our month by month guide:
September
September 20: Cost of living disability payment due.
Over six million people with disabilities are set to receive £150 from Tuesday, September 20. The payment was announced in May as part of then Chancellor Rishi Sunak's cost of living package. This payment is to help those with disabilities pay for any extra equipment they might have and is made directly to your bank with no application needed. Find out more here.
September 22: Bank of England interest rate decision
The Bank of England meets on the 22nd and an interest rate hike could be on the cards. In August, the rate was increased by 0.5%to 1.75% - the biggest hike in 27 years. Economists expect this could increase to as high as 2.25% in September. This would be good news for savers but bad news for mortgage holders, especially those on a tracker mortgage.
September 23: Mini budget
Hot on the heels of the Bank of England's meeting comes new Prime Minister Liz Truss' s " mini budge t". Expected announcements include the scrapping of the Health and Social Care Levy and a planned rise in corporation tax next year. The PM will also give more details about the £150 billion energy bill bailout for businesses next week.
September 26: Tougher work search rules for some people on Universal Credit
New rules mean that thousands of Universal Credit claimants will need to have more meetings with work coaches and either increase their working hours or spend more time looking for a job.
The change has come about because of a rise in what's known as the Administration Earnings Threshold (AET), a monthly amount that marks if you're in one group or the other. Currently, those earning below £355 a month, or £567 for couples, are in the intensive work search group. The amount will rise to £494 a month, or £782 for joint claims, taking thousands more people out of the light touch group and into the stricter work search group. The change is expected to affect around 115,000 people.
September 30: £20 and £50 notes expire
Paper £20 and £50 banknotes will no longer be legal tender after September 30., and won't be able to be spent in shops, supermarkets or anywhere else. If you have any, you can an deposit them at your bank or in a Post Office over the next few weeks.
September 30: Deadline for Council Tax rebate
Since April, households living in council tax bands A-D have been entitled to a council tax rebate worth £150. and councils have until September 30 to pay the rebate, mostly to people who don't pay their bill by direct debit.
October
October 1: Energy bills rebate payments begin
From this day, all households will start to receive the first of six payments, adding up to £400, towards your winter energy bills. The payment will come from your energy supplier and will be £66 in October and November and £67 in December, January, February and March. If you're on a credit meter the discount will come off your bills, but if you're on a prepayment meter you'll get a voucher. Find out more here.
Autumn: Second cost of living direct payment
If you're on Universal Credit, you should receive your second payment of £324 soon, although the Government has not finalised payment dates yet. The first instalment was paid to most claimants in July, and if your circumstances have not changed, you should get the second payment automatically. However, those who later qualify for benefits may also be eligible for the cash, which will be paid automatically.
October: Warm Home Discount letters sent out
The DWP will send you a letter in October to confirm if you'll get the payment later on in the year. Millions of households on certain benefits and state pensions are in line to get a £150 discount off their energy bills between December and March 2023. Find out more here.
November
November 24: New energy price cap announced
Ofgem has said it will continue to announce the cap on household energy prices, despite the Government saying it would guarantee lower bills for customers and the next announcement is due today. The energy regulator plans to still make the announcements every three months, as it continues to regulate how much energy suppliers can charge for their services.
Prime Minister Liz Truss has pledged that the average household will pay no more than £2,500 in its energy bills, but if you use more energy that average, you'll pay more.
November: Pensioner cost of living payment
In November, a £300 one-off "Pensioner Cost of Living Payment" will be paid out to eight million households. although the exact date is yet to be announced. It will be given to those who already get the winter fuel payment - which is worth between £100 and £300 for those over state pension age. Find out more here.
December
December: Warm Home Discount payments begin
Payments for the £150 Warm Home Discount scheme will likely begin from December. It's up to energy companies when they will give the discount and people can check with their supplier. In previous years the cash was split across four payments - giving customers a £37 discount off their bills each month from December to March.
Winter: Christmas bonus for people on Universal Credit
Universal Credit claimants are now eligible for an extra £10 at Christmas. It's to land in bank accounts before Christmas, although an exact date is still to be revealed. It's an entirely separate payment from any benefits you receive and you won't need to pay it back but you'll need to be claiming an extra benefit alongside Universal Credit in order to be eligible.
