Debt counselor in Bordesholm: Tips to combat your financial misery!

Debt counselor in Bordesholm: Tips to combat your financial misery!

Kerstin Vent is an experienced debt counselor from Bordesholm and shows that you don't always have to be bigger to help. She has been dedicating herself to her clients' financial concerns for over 30 years, initially at the Lichtblick association and later, from 2021, for Diakonie Altholstein. Vent has already advised around 4,000 households that are in serious financial difficulties. “The problems are diverse and the reasons for excessive indebtedness are often understandable,” she notes.

There are currently around 155 insolvency applications in follow-up care in Bordesholm. Last year 40 new applications were submitted and another 30 are expected this year. Vent estimates that the number of bankruptcy filings could rise to around 70 in 2025. New cases are being reported particularly among the population of young people under the age of 25, often due to modern payment systems that encourage people to live beyond their means. “Particular caution is required here,” says Vent.

Financial hardships and social trends

The financial difficulties are no longer limited to welfare recipients. Rising rents, interest rates and the current inflation are also putting a strain on families with two full-time earners. Regina Bathmann, a client of Vent, has been holding out through debt counseling since 1992. Despite her efforts and living on disability pension, she continues to struggle with financial worries.

“The situation has become stressful for many,” says Vent, describing the current challenges. The number of eviction notices, foreclosures and power cuts have increased noticeably in the last two years. This creeping over-indebtedness often happens after fixed interest rates expire and is a symptom of the larger social problem.

Help for self-help through diakonia

Another problem is the lack of financial education and outreach. "Too often people don't know how to handle their finances. This leads to an asymmetry of knowledge," explains Vent. Diakonie Altholstein is therefore calling for more support and funding from the state, as funding remains stagnant. The non-profit debt counseling service, which is offered by over 1,350 institutions in Germany, is not only dedicated to providing advice, but also promotes a holistic approach. The goal is to improve the financial and personal life situation of those seeking advice.

Free, confidential advice is offered in different forms, be it in person or online. Vent recommends that you take your own income situation into account when it comes to loans and financing and seek help in good time. Waiting times for an initial appointment in Bordesholm are usually three to four weeks, although quicker appointments are also possible in severe social crises.

“We not only offer legal information, but also help people clarify social benefit claims and negotiate with creditors,” says Vent, summing up the diverse tasks of her work. Diakonie sees itself as having a duty to make it easier to access debt advice, especially for older people who often live in precarious financial circumstances.

As Diakonie informs, an estimated six million people in Germany are affected by over-indebtedness, which corresponds to around three million households. The reasons are varied, from unemployment to separation to income poverty. These often come up as a topic in consultation and underline the urgency and relevance of Vent's work.

If you or someone you know is in financial distress, do not hesitate to contact Diakonie Altholstein or find out about the debt counseling services that are also available in Schleswig-Holstein in other cities such as Neumünster, Itzehoe and Molfsee. There is always a way out of debt, and help is just one step away.

For further information about the tasks of debt counseling or support options, visit diakonie.de and [kn-online.de].