Four reasons for debt and how we can tackle them
EVERYTHING is so expensive these days, so it’s easy for many of us to find ourselves in unmanageable debt. By recognising the causes of debt, we can gain a better understanding of the problem, prevent it and deal with it.
Low incomes
AT CHRISTIANS Against Poverty (CAP), we offer free, face-to-face debt advice and budgeting help.
One of the main reasons our clients fall into debt is living on a low income. A lower regular income means less wiggle room to cope with rising costs.
We often don’t realise what benefit support we could be entitled to. The free Turn2us benefits calculator on CAP’S website (at
is helping thousands of people to see if they are missing out
calculator) capuk.org/
on any vital income. Why not give it a try?
Unexpected circumstances
WE’VE all had days where it feels like everything is going wrong and unexpected circumstances can have a massive impact on our finances.
It could be that you’ve been made redundant, are going through a relationship breakdown, or a loved one has passed away, resulting in less household income.
These types of situations can cause us both emotional and financial pain.
If you find yourself in debt that’s unmanageable, the moneyhelper.org. uk website has a range of free support, and you can find out what free services CAP is running in your local area at
capuk.org/help. Physical and mental health struggles
MANY of us will have heard the phrase ‘health is wealth’, meaning your health is always the most important thing. I think most of us would agree this is true.
It’s also true that long-term illnesses or injuries that happen to us or a close family member can have a huge impact on our household’s finances.
Being kind to yourself, seeking professional, medical help early and readjusting your budget as quickly as you can following any changes to your regular income can be really helpful.
This will give you a clearer picture of where your finances are at and help you make productive decisions.
In need of budgeting support
BUDGETING and learning to save are essential life skills, but many of us have never been taught how to manage our finances and avoid debt.
When things go wrong, not having this vital knowledge can make it a lot harder to deal with situations that impact our income.
Building up a savings buffer of around three to six months of your monthly income can bring you peace of mind.
Even if you think you know how to budget and save, it’s always great to learn new skills.
Consider taking part in free money coaching to grow your knowledge. You can access free budgeting resources and find out more at
org/budgeting. capuk.
Free CAP Money coaching courses are available locally at Enniskillen Presbyterian Church, Cavanaleck Presbyterian Church and as part of the Life Skills Courses run by Ardess Parish Church from the Courthouse café in Kesh. Contact Jonathan on 0784 164 2575 for details.
JONATHAN Hayward is the manager of the West NI Debt Centre operated by the Enniskillen Presbyterian Church in partnership with Christians Against Poverty (CAP) which is a UK charity with over 580 services across the UK delivering free Debt Counselling, Life Skills and Money Management courses. ALL these services are freely available to everyone in Fermanagh and South Tyrone. Visit capuk.org to find out more,