"Now that I’ve got my money problems under control, I feel confident and at peace"

During a period when she was deeply unhappy, Jorinde (24) found herself in debt. With the help of debt counselor Bianca van Dijk from Stadsring, she managed to get her finances back on track.

She now sleeps well, can breathe freely again, and no longer has any secrets from her boyfriend or family. Jorinde can hardly believe how much her life has changed in just six months thanks to the program at Stadsring. “Everything is under control now. I have a steady job and a home. Taking charge of my money problems has given me confidence—and most importantly, peace of mind.” Jorinde is sharing her story because she wants others with debt to experience the same relief. “I hope my story gives them the push they need to ask for help.”

Impulsive by nature

Jorinde has always struggled with money. “I want everything, I love everything, and I’m impulsive.” Growing up, she never lacked anything, but she didn’t get the trendy clothes or shoes her peers wore—her parents wouldn’t buy them for her. She was also bullied. “I was unhappy and didn’t want to be left out. As soon as I had my own money, I started spending more than I could afford,” Jorinde explains.

Buy-now-pay-later

Things really spiraled out of control two years ago when she found herself in a stressful home situation. “Gradually, I started spending more. Payment platforms like Klarna and Riverty make it easy—you can pay later, pause payments, or delay them. Makeup, shoes, clothes—I kept buying. But the joy I felt when a package arrived quickly faded.”

Pounding heart

Instead, Jorinde felt more stress. “I started falling behind on payments, even for subscriptions and insurance. The letters demanding payment kept piling up. I was too afraid to open the mail. Once, I forgot to pay my car insurance and drove uninsured. I had heart palpitations, felt short of breath, and slept poorly. I cried often and got angry at people around me.”

Daring to ask for help

Jorinde visited the Stadsring website several times—an organization that helps people resolve debt. “At first, I didn’t dare sign up. I felt stupid for letting things get so out of hand. I also thought you’d have to hand in your debit card, get just €50 a week, and be left with nothing. But I couldn’t fix it on my own.”

A vulnerable age

“On average, it takes eight years before someone takes the step to ask for help,” says Bianca van Dijk. She’s a debt counselor at Stadsring and supports young adults between 18 and 27. “Being 25 myself helps—I understand young people better, which makes communication much easier.” Young adults are in a vulnerable life stage, Bianca explains. “When you turn 18, a lot changes in your financial situation. You have to pay your own health insurance and arrange care allowance with the tax authorities. If you move out, you take on a lot of responsibility. And life is expensive, while many young people don’t yet have a steady income.”

Complex rules

Some young people never learned how to manage money. Others face issues like depression, which can lead to poor financial decisions. Bianca sees a wide range of people, from students to status holders. “Young people who don’t speak Dutch well struggle even more. Our tax system is complicated, with many rules and allowances. If you’re not fully informed, it can have major consequences quickly.”

Tailored approach

Stadsring’s approach is tailored to each individual, Bianca says. “For young people, we have special programs, sometimes with budget management support. What we choose depends on the severity of the problems and the person’s wishes: what do they need to bring order to their financial chaos? I help my clients step by step toward a debt-free life. We also look ahead: how can we prevent this from happening again? And if you’re short on money each month, how can you adjust your spending habits to make ends meet?”

Taking control

Bianca offers advice and brainstorms solutions. “Jorinde’s income fluctuated because of her beauty salon, which caused a lot of stress. What would help her achieve a more stable financial situation?” Jorinde decided to close her business. She’s now in training and has a steady job. And something else: she’s been diagnosed with ADHD. “That’s not the cause of my debt, but it explains my impulsive behavior—and I need to learn to manage that.”

New energy

Jorinde still has one debt to pay off, and then she can leave this chapter behind. Bianca finds it incredibly rewarding to see how young people transform during the process. “I see them go from nervous to relaxed. It’s beautiful to watch their eyes light up again as they look ahead and start building their lives.” She urges anyone struggling with money to seek help quickly. “The sooner, the better. Problems can be resolved faster, and worse outcomes can be prevented.”

Questions about money or need help?

• At the Geldloket, you can get free advice on money matters, such as making ends meet or what changes when you turn 18 or move in with someone. Visit geldloket.nl/grip for more information.
• Stadsring offers various forms of debt support. Visit stadsring.nl for more information.

Information and assistance from the Geldloket and Stadsring are free for residents of the municipality of Leusden.

*Jorinde is a pseudonym. Credit: Text by Marlies Jansen, Photos by Linda Bouritius Photography