My money problems became quite serious when I had to give up work and go on benefits. After being ill with multiple sclerosis, my wife died and I had something of a breakdown. I also had back problems from lifting. So I wasn’t able to work. I’d bought a car, for which I owed the bank money, but after I stopped work I couldn’t make the loan payments. The bank passed the debt on to a debt management company. At first, they were happy to receive just £10 a month, which I could afford. But then they demanded more and more. It all became out of hand and I was stretched to make ends meet. I just had no money left.

A friend of mine put me in touch with Riverside Money Advice. They helped me work out how much money I need to put away each week to pay upcoming bills and how much I needed to put aside for the car loan.

This meant that my money went a lot further than before. Riverside Money Advice also helped me to claim compensation from the bank for mis-selling payment protection insurance. Another company was going to charge me 25% to claim it on my behalf. But Riverside Money Advice did it for nothing.

I now have a plan for managing my expenses and a diary that shows when all my bills are due.

Anything I spend has to be part of the plan. You have to be more regimented, but it’s worth it in the long-run. Before, I never bothered saving any money. But now it’s lovely to have a little money put aside in a separate savings account. It feels better to know I’m in control of my money.

 Riverside Money Advice provided great support. I wasn’t managing, but now I have peace of mind. I’ve really appreciated what they’ve done for me. It’s so nice to know that they’re there to help me.