Of course, with nostalgia comes the temptation to believe that everything was better back then, whenever 'then' may have been - there was less crime, young people were better behaved, you could leave your front door unlocked...

However, the memories are usually rose-tinted. Many people were surprised when, for example, a recent survey showed that apparently young people are actually more polite now than their counterparts 20 years ago.

We have also seen such amazing progress in technology and communication and, whilst there is still much room for improvement, our society is generally more enlightened and more accessible for people who would previously have been ostracised or excluded.

Unfortunately, one downside to progress is that the cost of living inevitably goes up. Traditionally, this isn't meant to be a problem as people's wages ought to be adjusted in line with inflation and the cost of living remains fairly constant. That's the idea, anyway, but problems arise in times, such as now, when inflation becomes so high that wages cannot keep up.

The cost of living is currently escalating at record levels - inflation hit a huge 5.2 per cent in the middle of October, the highest since 2008, and shows exactly what the average family is having to contend with at the moment.

This is not a good time to be struggling financially and to make matters worse, one of the main reasons behind the increased cost of consumer goods is the increased price of fuel, which we are already being hit by as we attempt to fill our cars with petrol and heat our homes.

All of these rising costs, of energy and of living, are combining to see levels of poverty, and fuel poverty, increase, and it is not being over-dramatic to suggest that this is literally a matter of life or death.

A report published this autumn claimed that thousands of people die every year of illnesses that have links to fuel poverty, as winter sees an additional 27,000 deaths each year.

Nobody should be forced to choose between heating and eating yet, at the moment, there are people across Northumberland who can barely afford to do one or the other, let alone both.

Price increases that might be an annoyance to many are catastrophic to some - and we as a society have to make sure the support is there for people who need it. As winter closes in, if you are struggling, or know somebody who might be, don't hesitate to seek help.

Anyone with concerns about money worries can drop in to the DAWN CAB in Morpeth for free and independent advice or for free telephone advice contact the Northumberland Advice Line on 0844 4111 309.

With our traditional industries, such as shipbuilding and mining, almost all but gone, more and more Northumberland residents turned to the county council, local hospitals and other state-funded organisations for secure employment.

While this may have been extremely beneficial for a number of years now the Government is squeezing the public sector to make savings wherever possible, and with such a high proportion of Northumbrians employed by it, we are once again fighting against soaring rates of unemployment.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) recently reported that between February and April 2011 unemployment in the North East grew dramatically by 18,000 - leaving us with the highest rate of unemployment in the country with 10.7 per cent out of work.

However, it is somewhat unsurprising that the North East has seen the second-highest change in unemployment figures across the country given the seemingly never-ending cuts which we have had to deal with.

Just how hard we have been directly hit by the Government's cuts is undeniable, but we are now also experiencing the knock-on effects within our private sector - as businesses which had once worked closely with state-funded organisations are starting to feel the strain.

As the country prepares for the possibility of yet more spending cuts along with the threat of a renewed global recession, it is anticipated that more jobs will be lost - a proportion of which will inevitably hit our county and in turn our redundancy figures.

What many people do not realise is that support and redundancy advice is available before the worst happens and those affected should seek advice at the earliest possible stage to prevent further issues from developing. Preparing for the worst eventuality is often the best way to prevent financial hardship should redundancy occur.

Unemployment can affect people in all matters of ways - not just financially. A job loss can put relationships under a huge amount of strain, can affect people's health and may lead to further problems including issues relating to housing if troubles aren't addressed urgently.

By seeking help, fully-qualified advisers can work with people who are at risk of redundancy to prepare in case they do lose their job - this will often help to prevent missed payments, stop bills from racking up and can ultimately allow people to feel more in control of their situation.

When it comes to financial matters prevention is always the best course of action but it is never too late to ask for help - whether its concerns surrounding the possibility of debt or mounting arrears there is always a solution.

Anyone with concerns about their employment or financial status can drop in to the DAWN CAB in Morpeth for free and independent advice or for free telephone advice contact the Northumberland Advice Line on 0844 4111 309.

The five-week-old kittens, which became an overnight internet success, were saved by a passer-by after being thrown from their nest as our county was battered by the winds of Hurricane Katia which reached up to speeds of 70mph.

However, this isn't the first time that Northumberland has witnessed extreme weather conditions, in 2008 Morpeth suffered around £40million worth of damage as the town experienced over a month's rain fall in just 24 hours, and if predictions are anything to go by it certainly won't be the last.

While our hearts may have melted at the sight of seeing the tiny red squirrels cuddling up to one another, experts forecast it won't be long before our region is once again fighting against freezing temperatures and the squirrels won't be the only ones seeking a bit of warmth.

Some forecasters have warned we may be facing an early winter as they expect below-average temperatures and potential snowfall as early as October and November - unbelievable when you consider the warm weather we enjoyed last weekend.

Aside from the obvious financial implications of yet another freezing winter, such as rising energy bills, there are some costs that people may not consider until its too late - the cost of severe weather damage.

In the aftermath of the Morpeth flash floods, residents were left shocked by the level of devastation caused to properties across the town. The team behind the DAWN CAB helped many residents who were struggling with a range of issues such as finding themselves without the appropriate insurance, trying to get their insurance companies to cover the cost of repairs or attempting to get their energy providers to mend damage caused to meters or pipes.

Furthermore, every winter we are contacted by people who have fallen foul of the bad weather and are finding it difficult to meet the cost of repairs after discovering that their insurance policy won't pay out.

As our winters appear to becoming more and more ferocious with each passing year advisors at DAWN Advice and the CAB in Morpeth are preparing for a spike in enquiries this winter.

As some policies will not provide cover for extreme weather conditions I'd urge people to look at their home insurance policies in detail now, before the wintry weather arrives, to ensure there are no nasty surprises should their property suffer damage.

Anyone who is struggling with an insurance claim or are having problems after experiencing weather damage to their property can seek free and independent advice at the DAWN CAB in Morpeth. Alternatively free telephone advice is available by calling 0844 4111 309.

While there are few things more refreshing than a crisp autumnal morning, the official arrival of autumn this week will, without a doubt, leave many households concerned about how they'll keep warm this winter. 

I'm sure many readers will only be too aware that, to date, five out of the 'Big Six' energy suppliers have announced significant price hikes which are due to set in this autumn - leaving many of our county's residents not knowing where to turn when it comes to heating their home.

The cost of gas for some will rocket by around 18 per cent, while some customers could see electricity prices rise by up to 19 per cent.

The steep rises in energy prices will be absolutely devastating for people who are already struggling to make ends meet and will mean that every Northumberland household will need to seriously review their budget - potentially forcing them to make even more cut backs, as they prepare for yet another potentially harsh winter.

Even before energy companies increased their prices the number of people seeking help because of fuel debts across the country had already nearly tripled - it is frightening when you consider just how many more people will now be affected.

So many elderly residents, families with young children and low-income households could be left facing financial crisis if they don't act now.

We regularly hear from people who are having to make huge sacrifices but are still unable to cope with the cost of living. We can help our clients to work with their energy providers to arrange an affordable payment plan. We can also easily identify if someone is paying too much for their gas and electricity and can help to rectify that before problems arise.

Anyone who is concerned about what effect increased energy prices may have on them should seek advice now, before bills or missed payments start mounting up. It is always simpler to help someone to change their situation before debts occur than afterwards. However, if debts are building up there is always a solution so people should never suffer in silence and should ask for help.

For independent advice on a number of matters including financial issues Northumbrians can access free face-to-face support from the DAWN CAB in Morpeth, or alternatively for free telephone advice they should contact the Northumberland advice line on 0844 4111 309.

While September signifies the start of school with mums and dads across the region excitedly helping their children to prepare for their first day at school, some will be getting themselves ready for a big change of their own.

Over 3,000 children start full-time education in Northumberland every year and parents can often feel that this is the right time to go back to work. This can be a daunting time for parents making their first-ever return to the workplace after taking time out to raise their young family.

People who were once focused by their career have new priorities and going back to work can be a strange transition as they now have to learn how to successfully create and maintain the ideal home and work life balance as parents.

For many they can be unsure of where they stand now - as both an employee but also as a parent.

While getting the transition right can be tricky, it can be a little less painful if parents are fully up to speed on the support which is designed to help make things easier. There is a range of financial and practical support available to help people wanting to go back to work after having children.

The rising cost of childcare is no hidden secret so many parents may worry if returning to work would really be worth it if most of the additional income will be spent on childcare. However, what many do not realise is that some families will be able to claim additional tax credits to help pay for childcare and that some employers now offer employees help with childcare costs, although some of these benefits may incur tax and national insurance payments so always check.

Also, parents who come off certain benefits - such as income support or jobseeker's allowance - as they return to work may be entitled to a Job Grant, which is a tax free lump sum.

Another big concern for parents is how they will fit work around the school day. Working parents have the right to ask their employer, if they have worked there for at least 26 weeks, for a new working pattern to help care for their children aged under six years.

Parents of three or four-year-olds who would like, or need, to go back to work are entitled to claim 15 hours of free nursery education for 38 weeks of the year, which can be a big help. 

No two situations are ever identical and there are different levels of support depending on an individual's circumstances.

To get free and impartial help and advice on applying for support when returning to work Northumbrians can access face-to-face support from the Citizens Advice drop-in service at Morpeth's Tower Buildings, for opening times or alternatively for free telephone advice contact the Northumberland advice line on 0844 4111 309. Alternatively for further details visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Childcare/DG_4016029.

Although the violence demonstrated in the riots understandably received extensive press attention, which has played a valuable role in helping police to identify and reprimand those involved, there is one type of violence that is often well hidden from the media spotlight.

While our region was lucky enough to escape the brutality of the riots, we aren't quite as fortunate to be able to avoid the devastation caused by domestic abuse.

Alcohol is often a contributing factor in many domestic abuse cases and with the Bank Holiday weekend fast approaching many people may choose to head to the pub or opt for that extra drink.

Of course, we're not trying to stop people from having a good time as millions of people in the UK are able to manage their alcohol intake responsibly - but alcohol's effects as a drug can bring out the worst in people.

As the UK riots proved, people from all walks of life can become embroiled in violent behaviour, especially when alcohol is added into the equation, and often there is no predicting how people may react.

Unfortunately one of the areas that both Citizens Advice Bureaux and DAWN's family law team is sadly called upon to deal with is domestic abuse - often linked to alcohol abuse.

Through our work, we will provide victims of domestic violence with confidential, free legal support to protect them from abuse, while our partner organisations can offer much needed emotional support and counselling.

Domestic abuse will take a number of forms from physical and sexual to economical and emotional abuse and can affect both men and women. It may begin as occasional incidents, but will often become much more frequent and more aggressive.

Many victims avoid seeking help as they pray it will never happen again, or are frightened of the repercussions, but speaking up is always the first step in helping to change the situation.

If any Northumbrian has any concerns about domestic abuse this Bank Holiday weekend, whether it's about their own situation, a friend or a family member, they should always seek advice straight away.

Anyone requiring advice on the above issue should contact DAWN Advice on 01670 785 543 in confidence.

To the vast majority of us, forms are little more than an annoyance - a necessary evil that we have to endure in order to access essential goods and services.

But imagine those people who cannot fill forms in - because of learning difficulties or disabilities - and it's clear that access to vital services, for some, can be severely restricted. It is a sad flaw in our society that those who genuinely need the most support are frequently made to jump through the most hoops to get it.

Northumberland already faces unique access issues - I wrote in this column recently about how fantastic a place it is to live, work and to visit and how our rolling countryside is the envy of the rest of the UK.

However, that rural environment, and the towns dotted around it, brings its own challenges in the form of restricting access to key services for many disadvantaged people.

Helping people who cannot leave their house is a key benefit of DAWN's telephone advice line - but we admit even then that sometimes face-to-face advice is needed and it can really help to sit down and talk things through. It's in times like this that services such as the Citizens Advice Bureaux really play a key role in helping people.

While these services are open to everybody, vulnerable adults can benefit more than most from the sort of support offered by a CAB - especially with areas such as maximising household income. It is critical to ensure that vulnerable adults are accessing all of the support to which they are entitled, and CABs can help with that.

Whether it is help to fill in a form, to make sense of a letter from a local authority or bank, help with paying a bill or even to provide a listening ear when times are tough, the Citizens' Advice Bureaux we have in Morpeth, Blyth and Ashington are always on hand to help. To find your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/getadvice or call the Northumberland advice line on 0844 4111 309.

Though I realise most people will have booked their summer holidays this year - and in many cases already taken them - but how many considered Northumberland as a destination? Probably very few, which is a shame.

We may not be able to offer any of the big UK seaside resorts such as Blackpool, Brighton, Skegness or Weston Super Mare, but some would possibly consider that a blessing.

What we have got is nearly 2,000 square miles of virtually unspoilt countryside and Northumberland remains the least populated county in the UK - when people talk about 'getting away from it all', there's nowhere better.

Thirty years ago, of course, before the arrival of cheap overseas flights, it was seen as perfectly normal for people to remain in the region for their holidays - travelling from County Durham to Whitley Bay, for example.

Now, scientists are speculating that as global warming really takes hold, destinations like Spain will simply become too hot in the summer months to make them comfortable destinations, and that UK seaside tourism will enjoy a boom once more.

In the interests of saving the planet, we have to hope that never happens - but we have plenty of other reasons to consider taking our breaks here anyway.

First of all, the cost: cheap package deals may look like a bargain, but they frequently carry hidden costs and are rarely as much of a bargain as they appear to be in the travel agent's window.

Then there's the idea of supporting the local economy. It's incredibly important to do this - arguably more so at the moment than ever before. Yes, tourism is continuing to bring money and jobs to the region, but there will always be plenty of room for growth.

Finally, there's the experience - there is so much to do here that it would be impossible to list it all in a single article. Yet it is sadly true that many people fail to take advantage of what's on their doorstep - an American friend once told me they were staggered that so many people from the UK bothered to visit the US whilst there was so much on offer in our own country.

I'm not saying people shouldn't explore different cultures when given the chance, but when there is so much on offer on our very own doorstep, when times are hard it makes perfect sense to make the most of what's closer to home.

However, one of our greatest summer traditions is the annual holiday - a chance for people to get away from it all, to really relax and unwind.

At one time many of us took for granted the ease of booking a cheap holiday and jetting off into the sun at a relatively low cost - and with Newcastle airport offering flights to around 80 destinations, the world really is on our doorstep.

With such easy access to so many places, it became the norm for people to have three or maybe more holidays a year. However, drops in the exchange rate, increased fuel surcharges and higher prices during official school breaks have all made holidays so much more expensive.

At least the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has now banned hidden card charges on all air, ferry and rail tickets so there shouldn't be any nasty surprises when it comes to paying for a holiday. The OFT is also working towards abolishing charges which many people are hit with when they use their debit cards for travel.

Although these changes should help to reduce the overall cost of holidays, the annual family break is certainly once again becoming much more of an investment for people. Lots of Northumbrians are now working throughout the year to pay for their holiday, putting aside a little each month to help cover the cost - making getting away easier to afford.

As we move further into the summer months and start preparing to go on holiday our TV screens are filled with adverts promoting the 'must have' getaway products. And while items such as sun protection are essential, some are certainly ones which we can holiday without.

And its not just cosmetics that people are drawn into purchasing unnecessarily, there's the new summer wardrobe. The search for the ultimate summer outfit can often take on a whole life of its own as people head to the shops to find the perfect summer dress or designer sunglasses.

And it is the cost of these items - that will tend to sit in the cupboard virtually unused for most of the year - which can quickly mount up and spiral out of control.

While preparing for a summer holiday can be just as much fun as the actual event itself, people must remember to continue watching their bank balance and only spend what they can actually afford to spend. If people get too carried away with the fun of summer spending they could be left with less than happy memories.

As always, whether staying in the UK or heading abroad, good budgeting is the key to a successful holiday. And why not try raiding last year's summer wardrobe before hitting the shops - people are always surprised at how much they have accumulated over the years. 

Anyone living in Northumberland who is concerned about their financial situation or are struggling with issues related to debt should always seek help. For free and independent advice visit the Citizens Advice drop-in service at Morpeth's Tower Buildings, for opening times or alternatively for free telephone advice contact the Northumberland advice line on 0844 4111 309.

There are so many celebrities preparing this summer for the arrival of their new, little bundles of joy - from Lily Allen, Kimberley Stewart and Jodie Kidd, to of course the possibly most anticipated new-born of them all - the Beckhams' first baby girl.

Preparing for a new baby can be just as daunting for any parent-to-be as it is exciting. While most pregnancies are usually filled with anticipation for many families, there is often an element of apprehension as the big day approaches. 

But while A-list mums-to-be plan their nurseries, pick out their prams and choose the perfect baby name, there is one element which most of them definitely won't be worrying about - money.

It's been estimated that the average family spends approximately £9,400 in a baby's first year alone - and by the time the baby reaches the age of 21 it's thought that parents will have spent over £210,000.

These figures may be a drop in the ocean for celebrities who reportedly earn £500,000 a week playing football or who have a rock star dad worth an estimated £100million, but they are significant sums of money for the rest of us.

Who can blame parents-to-be for feeling anxious as they tot up each new baby-related purchase? Putting the initial spends aside - no one can fully prepare a new mum or dad for how life-changing a baby can be. As there is so much to think about everyday tasks like paying the utility or credit card bill can easily slip to the back of the mind.

In the grand scheme of things a missed payment here and there may not seem like a big deal but at a time when every penny is precious, charges for late-payments can seriously start to eat into the 'baby fund' or, in the worst case scenario, may impact on credit ratings.

Everyone wants to give their child the very best start in life, and while getting the finances in check well before giving birth won't suddenly create a celebrity-style bank balance it will help provide some peace of mind so new mums and dads can concentrate completely on being the proud parents of their new number one priority - followed very closely by trying to get some rest.

Any Northumberland resident concerned about financial issues can access free face-to-face support from the Citizens Advice drop-in service at Morpeth's Tower Buildings, for opening times or alternatively for free telephone advice contact the Northumberland advice line on 0844 4111 309.