THE SUPPORT IS THERE FOR YOU TO TACKLE DEBT ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT MONEY? GET ADVICE NOW

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For too many people, the start of a new year signals new money worries.

Millions have started 2019 with debt after a Christmas overspend and many will fall behind on crucial payments this month.

Additional debt from credit cards and loans will make it even harder for people who are already financially stretched.

Living costs are also increasing leaving many people struggling to pay essential costs for housing and heating.

Asking for help can be the first, and most important step, in taking back control and there are many organisations ready to offer free advice.

If you are finding it a heavy burden to keep up with bills and credit cards or have missed payments in any three of the past six months, this is a signal that you are over-indebted, say the Money Advice Service.

In 2018, nearly 20,000 people in Scotland contacted debt charity Stepchange, an increase of 47 per cent since 2013.

The figures, although alarming, illustrate that people are seeking help more.

By this measure, it is estimated that 16 per cent of adults in Scotland are facing problems. often follows other difficult bedfellows such as redundancy, divorce or ill health.

When people are reeling from a life-changing crisis, mounting debt often takes second place. A quarter of households in Scotland have no savings, which means there’s often nothing to fall back on during a sudden financial setback.

Last year, 10,602 people received debt relief through insolvency made up of 4644 bankruptcies and 5,958 protected trust deeds, while another 2,318 people took control of their debt with a Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS).

Sharon Bell, Head of Stepchange Debt Charity Scotland, says more than 60 per in debt due to circumstances they could not have prevented or planned for.

She says: “Keeping a roof over your head and heating your home are basic needs yet, for too many Scottish families, these are constant worries. “Even where families are not in problem debt, many are balanced on a knife edge, just one emergency or unexpected bill away from facing real difficulty.

“But we know that there can be a light at the end of the tunnel even in the most difficult circumstances. We have helped thousands of people stabilise their finances and, through free and impartial debt advice, a solution can be found.” Finding yourself in debt can be a frightening experience. For Christina Campbell, two minor errors led to her owing thousands in the space of three months. “It was horrendous,” recalls Christina, from Grangemouth. “I went from being debt-free in January 2016 to receiving a letter in March telling me I’d been overpaid in housing benefit, with a bill of almost £3500. It was a similar case with my council tax. The full sum was £6000. It came out of nowhere.” By paying back what she owed, Christina was left with a mere £25 a week. “I contacted a Welfare Rights Officer but, by then, the council were taking me to court for the funds. I was in a desperate situation,” recalls Christina. Worried nothing could be done, Christina spoke with a friend who suggested she look into charities that could help “After one phone call to Christians Against Poverty, they sent someone out who could help with the debt,”she adds.“over several months, Colin Richardson from the organisation came out to see me and accumulated all the paperwork he needed. “He spoke with the council and organised food banks for me as managing the repayments meant I couldn’t afford to buy any groceries.” Six months after receiving guidance and advice from Christians Against Poverty, which included going through bankruptcy, Christina was debt free. She says:“being debt-free, it’s such a relief to be in my home knowing that my rent is paid, my council tax is covered, all my bills are up to date and I’ve got food in my cupboards. “You just have to reach out for help.” Contact CAP for help on capuk.org