Time for a health check

Facing up to financial problems is a big deal for many people.

Some put it off for 18 months or 2 years, even though they are falling behind on interest and other payments. By which time the problem is much worse.

So the new money Health Check from the government's impartial Money Advice Service is a useful tool.

And here's is my Fiddler on the Roof take on it. Remember "If I was a rich man, didle deedle didle...etc"

The check doesn't provide the sort of detailed advice that you would get from a debt expert and an investment specialist, but it will point you in the right direction.

In fact, if you own up to serious debt problems, it offers a quick route out of the questionnaire to an action page which offers instant help, including contact numbers for debt charities who will assist.

The Money Advice Service wants millions to try it out, with a target of 500,000 in the first year.

Let's hope the people who most need the help will end up taking the Health Check.

They'll need to be on a computer, on the internet and know about the service.