I cleared the electricity arrears before winter came

Dear Delyara, After my hours were cut, I fell behind on energy bills. I hid the letters until the arrears reached more than £2,000. A debt adviser helped me apply for support I did not know existed, negotiate an affordable plan, change tariff, and create a budget that included heating rather than treating warmth as a luxury. It took eighteen months. Today, the provider confirmed the arrears balance is zero. The account still has normal bills, of course. Life does not become free because debt ends. But winter is approaching, and for the first time in three years, I am not looking at the thermostat as if every degree is borrowed money. My son turned the heating on this morning without asking me first. I almost shouted automatically. Then I remembered. Financial success was hearing the boiler start and letting it run.