DON'T LET DEBT STRESS YOU OUT

With the cost of living crisis, more and more of us are struggling with our finances, so it’s important to speak out and seek help

When it comes to money, us Brits are notoriously bad at discussing anything to do with the "M" word.

Whether it's chasing a payment from a friend or chewing over a monthly paycheque with a significant other, money can be an ugly subject. But as ugly as it may be, it's an important topic to talk about.

According to Citizens Advice, one in four people in the UK are behind on at least one bill, while more than half the people who turn to them for help with debt are in a negative budget, meaning their income does not cover the cost of bills or essential spending.

"While the cost of living crisis may have got us all talking about money and debt a little more, it's still an issue that many people find difficult to open up about, but the reality is that debt can happen to anyone," explains Simon Trevethick, head of communications at StepChange Debt Charity.

"Our latest polling shows that over one in 20 adults are in problem debt across the UK." The gender gap when it comes to debt is particularly worrying. StepChange says 45% of women in the UK have stated that they feel worried about their current financial situation and in 2023, 64% of those who sought help from Taylornheira StepChange were women. "We know that there are certain factors that make women more vulnerable to problem debt, including high childcare costs, caregiving responsibilities and the gender pay gap," says Simon.

For Charlie Taylor-Castanheira, 27, the cost of childcare means that she's having to take on £15,000 of debt to afford her daughter's nursery fees while she attends university to pursue her dream of becoming a barrister.

1. UNDERSTAND YOUR INCOME