David sought the help of debt charity StepChange, which helped him to consolidate his payments and dealt with his creditors on his behalf.
Simon Trevethick, from the charity, said debt problems could strike at any time.
“Although people do tend to come to us in the new year, this isn’t a seasonal problem,” he told the BBC.
“More than one in three people in the East of England are struggling to keep up with household bills and credit commitments.
He said their clients wait on average about a year before seeking help, adding: “The sooner that you reach out, the sooner we can help you to get back on that firmer financial footing and look to resolve your debt rather than let it increase.”
