Here, three readers break the taboo to reveal how they got into financial difficulty – and how they’re trying to get themselves out of it.‘No one knew I was £12,000 in debt’She reveals: 'I couldn’t afford the girls’ trip to Paris, but I’d become used to ignoring thoughts like that'
By the end of that year, my debt stood at £12,000, which was hugely stressful, as well as incredibly embarrassing. I have lost some friends, because I can no longer keep up with their expensive lifestyles. My boyfriend, who I have been on/off with for around 12 years, is very financially savvy so he’s been extremely supportive and helpful.
I needed to take on another job, and so began doing some cleaning. Despite this, I was earning £1,000 a month less than before, and all my outgoings were rising because of the So in March 2022, I had to use a local foodbank, as I didn’t have enough money to buy food and pay my electricity bill. Often people associate debt with someone who’s made bad choices or not worked hard enough, but I’m proof that not everyone is to ‘blame’ – this wasn’t my fault.”Tessa Skola, 63, is an actress and lives in Cornwall.
I carried on working as an actress, but had to pay for union memberships, updating my photos and portfolio and travelling to auditions.