This is the time of year when recent excessive spending can catch up with us. For most of us, at worst, it just results in a modest tightening of belts, but for some it can lead to anxiety, depression and worse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’ve just read this story<\/a> on the BBC website. It’s a common enough story these days: a single mother with three children living a hand-to-mouth existence but keeping head above water when, through no fault of her own, her circumstances change and she starts to sink. With just a smattering of financial nous picked up over the years (personal finance is still not taught in schools as a matter of course) she is ill-equipped to deal with her money problems and sinks fast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fortunately her local council had started a new community service – ‘I’ve Been There’ – a network of local people who have experienced debt, and who are willing to coach others, informally on how to get out of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It’s not the sort of thing that our local council is likely to introduce anytime soon, but at the end of the story there was a list of useful organisations that offer free advice. I reproduce that list below :<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Money Advice Service<\/strong>\u00a0provides free and impartial money advice. An independent service originally set up by government. National Debtline<\/strong>\u00a0offers free, impartial, debt advice. My Money Steps<\/strong>\u00a0is a free, interactive online debt advice service, which provides a personalised action plan for dealing with your debts. Citizens Advice Service<\/strong>\u00a0provides information on benefits, employment and housing and help on debt, credit and legal issues.
Phone 0800 138 7777 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm)
Visit the Money Advice Service website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Phone: 0808 808 4000 (Mon-Fri 9am- 8pm Sat 9am-1pm)
Visit the National Debtline website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Visit the My Money Steps website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Visit the Citizens Advice Service website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n