Talking Money - Stan's story

Stan was struggling to manage his debts. He was using one credit card to pay another, taking out loans and watching interest build up. He had borrowed to help support his daughter at university, while also living with disabilities and ongoing health problems. The financial pressure affected his wellbeing. Stan was losing sleep and missing medical appointments because his life felt out of control, and he thought he would have to keep paying his debts for the rest of his life. Stan first came to Talking Money to interpret for someone else. During that visit, he learned about Debt Relief Orders (DROs), which can help people with qualifying debts get a fresh start. Working with his adviser, Cheryl, he explored whether a DRO was right for him. They worked towards it together, and it was approved after around six months. Cheryl also helped Stan check whether he was on the best energy tariff and whether his benefit payments were correct. With his debts dealt with and his finances checked, Stan began to feel more in control. He can now look ahead. He hopes to attend his daughter’s graduation, spend more time with her and perhaps take a holiday. As Stan puts it: “Cheryl helped me get my life back on track and now I could live again.”