Budget Advisor Meredeigh  (pictured) didn't realise she'd become a fire fighter when she first started giving budget advice.  However, she quickly discovered that for many clients their money problems often become bushfires raging out of control.

"I knew I was good with numbers and talking with people, but  I wondered if I would be able to lean on my strengths to overcome my doubts.  She describes the experience of her second client as being, "The hardest thing I've ever done, but I loved it." 

Solo mum Annie was $16,000 in debt.  "I looked at her spending and then her income and saw we had a problem ... a big problem," Meredeigh remembered.  "There were two choices regarding her insolvency:  No Asset Procedure or Bankruptcy. Both were hard options."  Annie invited her parents to attend the next meeting, at which point Meredeigh clearly laid down the alternatives.  She wasn't looking forward to it, as she imagined temperatures were going to be raised!

"I explained to Annie's mum and dad that she was spending money for comfort.  It was a very black and white conversation, and there were lots of tears," explained Meredeigh.  She said that each time Annie got into debt and they baled her out, all they were doing, out of love, was feeding Annie's spending habit as there was no change of behaviour.

Annie was not working at this stage as she found it difficult with two young children to care for.  However, Meredeigh's advice also included suggesting that she consider getting a job. 

A third option for Annie later eventuated in that her parents could offer her a loan, on the condition that her father helped her to learn the skills of money management and was a joint signatory to her bank account.

There was also an opportunity to talk about job prospects.  Meredeigh recalls, "I told Annie that I knew of someone who may shortly be hiring staff and gave her the phone number.  But I didn't think she'd make the call." 

A few days later, Meredeigh heard that ,not only had Annie turned up to see this new employer, but had got the job!  A few months on,Meredeigh bumped into Annie.  "The first thing Annie said to me was 'I'm sticking to my budget!'  Annie's changed so much.  She's confident and smiling.  It's really cool to see where she's at now."

Abridged from Kingdom Resources' Newsletter, October 2009 .