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Andrew Barto

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All reviews (3)

Review of the StepChange, Debt advice:

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My finances were a complete mess

My finances were in a complete mess I did not know which way to turn or how to deal with my debts. I spoke to Step Change and they took me through a number of options and explained in detail the best option for me. Step Change recommended a Debt Management Plan. After a lot of hard work and very long phone calls with Step Change I drew up a budget this does take a great deal of effort and soul searching. You have to be ruthless when it comes to reducing your expenditure many of the things I was buying were totally unnecessary so I stopped them on advice from Step Change. There are to many to list but at the end of it with a great deal of help and support I was able to fix an amount that I could afford to pay to Step Change each month and they then obtain the agreement of my creditors to this proposal and they distribute the money every month on my behalf. It is a long and emotionally painful experience but at least when it is set up you know it is being paid and you can relax just a little bit. As part of the process I was advised to apply for "breathing space" from my creditors which is when the creditors agree to give you a break from interest payments and letters and so on it just gives you a chance to look at the whole financial situation you are in and to try your best to deal with the problems you are facing. I can say that without Step Change and the help they provided I simply would never have managed at all. I would say that whilst they are very kind and considerate they do tell you like it is and you soon learn that you have to be hard with yourself and face the harsh reality of your situation which at the end of the day you have brought upon yourself. I found the initial stages very very difficult as I went through the process and the debt management plan was set up I find it slightly easier to cope with but it remains difficult. Step Change are always at the end of the phone and they will always find an answer to whatever financial problems I have. I am deeply grateful for all their help and advice that they have given me and the work that they do to explain matters to my creditors which is something I could not do myself. If you need financial advice regarding debts Step Change are, in my view, the best. Reviewed on: 7th May 2026

Review of the StepChange, Debt advice:

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Financial problems? Contact Stepchange

My finances are in a very bad state, I had to many loans and to much on credit cards. These problems came to a head when I was scammed. I spoke to my bank who were very helpful and to a degree sympathetic. Having looked at my finances the bank suggested I should contact Stepchange who would be in a better position advise me. After a great deal of thought and considerable trepidation I contacted them and after going through a very comprehensive review of my finances and my budget I was advised to set up a debt management plan. With a great deal of help and support from Stepchange I did this and now my debts are being paid off at a rate that I can afford. It is not at all easy but I have found Stepchange to be very helpful and kind. I have found the process very stressful but at the end of the day all the work was worthwhile and I am pleased that I took the advice that Stepchange gave me. It will take quite a long time for my finances to recover but I have learnt a great deal and I will not make the mistakes I made again. I would not hesitate to recommend Stepchange to anyone in financial difficulties. Reviewed on: 25th May 2025

Review of the StepChange, Debt advice:

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Helping me to sort out my Debt Problems after being scammed

i was scammed twice last year which was awful and it badly affected my confidence. Since then I have spent hours and hours on the phone to my bank and Credit Card companies and other related organisations. I took the advice of my bank and contacted Step Change who have been very kind helpful and considerate as they took me through all the options open to me. I am now completing my budget to enable me to continue with a DMP. Without their help I really do not know what I would have done. This has been the worst experience of my life and I am getting through it but I know I could not have done that without the ongoing help and support of Step Change. They are a remarkable organisation and I am most grateful to them for their help. Reviewed on: 8th July 2023

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