Introduction p5 The design of reference budgets p11 The construction of reference budgets p27 The application of reference budgets p41 Case studies p51 (AT/BE/BG/SP/FI/DE/IE/SE/UK) Mutual learning on reference budgets: lessons learned p122

The financial crisis will dramatically increase the number of unemployed people. In this process, the number of over-indebted people will increase as well. Therefore it is an urgent need to have a closer look on the actual situation concerning over-indebtendess. "Money Matters" 7 provides data and insights into the situation in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden and the United Kingdom and gives a short overview of the fight against over-indebtedness at EU level.