An Honest Conversation About Money
Many of our blogs focus on tips for those who may be struggling financially. We’ve covered topics such as how to save money on your food shop and utility bills, listed side hustle ideas to bring in extra income, and talked about the importance of using a benefits calculator to make sure you’re getting all the help you’re entitled to.
But what happens when you’ve exhausted every avenue, and you still feel stuck in an impossible situation?
What happens if you’ve swapped your supermarket, followed every money-saving tip out there, checked your eligibility for benefits, and you’re still barely getting by each month?
We often talk about budgeting, but what if your finances are still in the red each month?
Sadly, this is the reality for so many people in the UK.
You’re not alone. 10 facts about the financial situation in the UK right now:
- In the past year, 11.5 million UK residents has had to borrow money from a family member or friend to help them cover the cost of essential items, including food and bills.
- 49% of UK adults state that they feel more uncertain about their future compared to just two years ago, largely due to the cost of living and inflation.
- Just 3% of UK residents agree that the UK is in a good economic state.
- 82% of UK residents agree that ‘Prices in the shops are rising faster than my income’.
- A report released in October 2025 revealed that 46% of UK households have had to cut back on the amount of money they save to reduce living costs. In addition to this, a third of households have had to dip into their savings to afford everyday expenses.
- One in 10 UK households admitted that they’d stopped or reduced their pension contribution payments to free up some money month to month.
- A single person living in the UK in 2025 needs to earn an annual salary of £30,500 to achieve a minimum acceptable standard of living. Please note that this is an ‘acceptable’ standard of living – not a comfortable one.
- Around two in every 10 adults in the UK are in poverty.
- 7 million UK adults have fallen behind on at least one household bill.
- A survey carried out by charity Money & Mental Health revealed that 86% of respondents with existing mental health concerns said that their financial situation made their mental health worse.
It isn't fair
These statistics paint a grim picture of the UK: so many of us are struggling to get by.
The stereotypical British attitude is often to ‘just get on with it.’ If someone asks us if we’re okay, we automatically answer, “fine, thank you!” even if we’re anything but fine.
It’s okay to hold your hands up and say, ‘Actually, I’m not fine’.
It’s okay to say that it isn’t fair.
Because it isn’t fair if you’re working every hour you can and are still having to cut back on necessities, such as food.
It isn’t fair that you have limited or no money leftover at the end of the month to spend on leisure activities and nice-to-haves.
It isn’t fair that you’re having to choose between feeding yourself and feeding your kids.
It isn’t fair that you’re having to borrow money just to pay for things like petrol for your car.
It isn’t fair that you have to sit in a cold house because you can’t afford to put the heating on in the middle of winter.
It isn’t fair that you spend more time than you care to admit anxiously peering at your smart meter.
None of this is fair, and there’s absolutely no sugarcoating it.
You're not alone
We wish we had the answers, and we wish we could offer a practical solution, but the truth is, no amount of money-saving tips can solve an economy that is currently not working for so many of us.
What we can do, however, is remind you that, whatever you’re facing, you don’t have to battle it alone. It might seem like a small consolation, but sometimes, just sharing your worries with another person can feel like a weight lifted.
We know this isn’t a magic wand solution to your circumstances, but we hope you find the list of resources below useful.
The advisors at each of these organisations are trained to deal with a wide range of concerns and will listen to your situation with empathy.
Money advice resources
Mental health resources
If your financial situation is causing or contributing to your poor mental health, please consider reaching out to any of the following organisations. Money is important, there’s no denying that - but it’s not as important as you. Please don’t allow your finances to define you. Help is always available.
We're in this together
Finally, we’d like to remind you that if you’re doing everything you can and are still struggling, it is not a reflection of you. There is no shame in admitting that you’re struggling. Shame dies when you expose it to the light, so let’s keep the conversation going.
We’re in this together.
Straight forward
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