More recently, we hear this more than almost anything else: “We both work full-time… but it feels like we’re drowning.”
And it’s not your imagination. The numbers back it up.
- Over 60% of UK households told the ONS in 2024 that they’re struggling to pay energy, rent, or mortgage bills.
- The average credit card balance per UK adult is now over £2,300, with interest rates at their highest in decades.
- More than 1 in 5 working families say they regularly use credit just to cover food or childcare.
This isn’t about “bad budgeting” – it’s about maths that no longer adds up. Wages simply haven’t kept pace with inflation.
In our experience, even couples with steady jobs can find themselves:
- Paying minimums on cards but never reducing the balance.
- Juggling loans, credit cards, and overdrafts to cover everyday costs.
- Feeling embarrassed, because “on paper” they should be managing fine.
Here’s the truth: needing help doesn’t mean you’ve failed. The system is stacked against households right now.
That’s why regulated debt advice exists to be in your corner, to deal with creditors, and to help you focus on essentials first.
Get in touch with us to see if you can sort this together.
