A mortgage, bills & one income

Jane's story is one of resilience, as she overcame debt through empathetic support, regained financial control, and built a solid foundation for her future.

Jane’s background

Jane faced significant financial difficulties during a challenging period in her life. At that time, she was working but earning minimum wage. With substantial monthly mortgage repayments, the responsibility of raising two children, and her partner's inability to work due to health issues, Jane found herself overwhelmed by financial pressure. She described it as, "everything just piles up and piles up", highlighting her immense strain.

The debt

This financial strain led her into debt, which included a personal loan, as well as overdue utility bills for power and gas. When Jane's account came to Pioneer, she avoided contact, feeling stressed and overwhelmed by the situation. However, the debt continued to weigh on her, affecting her mental health and creating persistent anxiety about her finances. Jane said;

“You wake up every day and think, oh God, I still owe that money. It affects everything. It affects your mental health.”

Journey with Pioneer

When Jane decided it was time to engage with Pioneer, her experience was transformative. The empathetic and understanding approach of her Account Manager made all the difference. They took the time to assess Jane's financial circumstances and worked with her to create a tailored repayment plan - an amount she could afford per week without judgment or pressure. Jane appreciated that her debt was handled with respect, and the tailored solutions helped her regain control over her finances.

“You guys were awesome. It’s actually not bad; you didn’t make me feel silly about what I could afford. You considered everything I said and made a plan that was achievable for me.”

She was particularly moved by how her account was handled with understanding. She reflected;

“There are ways you can go about it where you don’t need to make someone feel like they’re at rock bottom”

The Outcome

Thanks to the support from her Account Manager, Jane successfully paid off her debt. Today, she works away and has developed a strong financial foundation, allowing her to save and budget with confidence. She adopted better money management strategies, including setting up a separate account for savings, ensuring her bills are paid on time, and she is building an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses.

Jane expressed immense gratitude for the Pioneer team, who treated her with kindness and professionalism, making what could have been a stressful experience manageable and even uplifting.

“I’m very thankful for you guys. You’re there to help and at the end of the day you’ve made a big difference.”

Now Jane encourages others facing financial challenges to proactively reach out and advocate for understanding and respect. She believes that by doing so they can navigate their difficulties with dignity and emerge stronger on the other side.

“If you’re having financial issues, just contact the company and explain your situation. There are people there who understand.”

This account was closed in December 2024. The name in this story has been changed to protect the privacy of the individual involved. The image is for illustration purposes only, provided by Microsoft 365 and downloaded from Unsplash.