12. Debt

Debt is an incredibly serious topic, and can affect our lives in so many different ways. Bea chats with two people from the debt charity Stepchange; Head of media Sue Anderson, and Andy Shaw, who is a debt advice coordinator. Sue gives heaps of vital information about exactly what debt is, how it can occur and how we can go about removing the stigma. She also gives some practical advice as to the ways we can begin to tackle debt and go about seeking help. Andy explained how debt can spread to other areas of your life, and what to do if it does. As well as this he laid out exactly what would happen if you approached Stepchange for help with your debt, and the steps you would likely take to start working on your debts.

Kalpana clarifies exactly what insolvency and the Ombudsmen are, and what declaring bankruptcy entails.

We also revisit the stories of Jen and Elysia from our borrowing episode to hear how debt affected their lives and what they did about it.

Debt charity links: ● https://www.stepchange.org ● https://www.nationaldebtline.org ● https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk ● http://www.debtadvicefoundation.org

You can join the conversation with the hashtag #Money101Pod. You can get loads more information and help for debt by following @stepchange on Twitter. Kalpana is @kalpanafitz, Jen is @jefflebum, and Bea is @beaduncan_.

The host is Bea Duncan. The producer is Renay Richardson. The assistant producers are Bea Duncan and Rez Marino. This is a Broccoli Production for BBC Sounds.