Martin Lewis

CONSUMER

The Martin Lewis column MONEY ON MY MIND...

He’s the UK’s leading money saving expert – a journalist and presenter who has kept millions of pounds in people’s pockets as well as lifting the lid on the threats and dangers we need to be aware of as consumers.

In this month’s column, Martin Lewis looks at taking back control when creditors come calling.

I’ll come straight to the point this month – there is nothing more precious or valuable than our mental wellbeing, and there is no bill or invoice that should come before it.

I have worked with mental health charities and the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute to ensure people who fi nd themselves in di cult situations are able to access not just fi nancial assistance, but practical and emotional support too. The truth is when people have existing mental health problems, the administration anxiety that comes with bills, debt demands and ongoing fi nancial commitments, can be very di cult to handle, to the point that they’re simply unable to deal with what’s in front of them. Even when in a good place mentally and fi nancially, so many of us fi nd processing everyday matters exhausting, so imagine the added di culty when starting from a place of weakness.

Remember, we have the right to determine how we are approached and contacted by those we do business with. For some people receiving a text message informing them of something may represent a nightmare. For others, a text is the only way they wish to communicate; while some prefer to converse over the phone, or even face to face.

It’s essential we stand up and state our preferences, and organisations have to adhere to these. That won’t necessarily mean the problem will go away… if you are behind on a bill, for instance; but it will bring back control to you and, from the outset, allow you to determine how you want to go about tackling a problem.

It was reported that 44% of people with mental health problems who fell behind on payments during the pandemic considered or attempted suicide; and if you macro that up to the UK population that would be two-and-a-half million people.

I’ll be honest and say I that when I heard that fi gure, I didn’t fi nd it surprising; but it does surprise and disappoint me that people still don’t feel they have the tools to fi ght back and retake control.

From recovery space to payment holidays, to freezes on interest or repayment plans, speak to your creditors in a way that is fi rm and fair, and you will likely get the result you want.

Martin Lewis is the Founder and Chair of MoneySavingExpert. com. To join the 7.5 million people who get his free Money Tips weekly email, go to

www.moneysavingexpert.com/latesttip

WITHYOUWHEN IT MATTERS MOST

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