A WOMAN in a "nightmare" financial situation has signed up to a challenge in an effort to become debt-free.

Sarah Baptiste, 35, of Bakers Arms, Walthamstow, is taking part in the project created by behavioural economist Professor Ivo Vlaev.

Miss Baptiste, who works as a healthcare assistant, hopes to save enough money for a holiday to Barbados.

She said: “My financial situation after Christmas was a nightmare and I bought a lot in the January sales.

“I love looking after people and buying clothes and toys for others and my weakness is also eating out, lots of takeaways.

“I feel confident now but at the start I wasn’t. I just thought I have to do something and I needed a strategy and I like a challenge.

“Now every time I go shopping for clothes I ask myself if it is necessary and if I have room for it.

“I have debt but I am paying it off monthly and I am looking forward to getting some sun in Barbados.”

The course run by Noddle aims to promote responsible spending and realistic financial goals to those with all types of incomes.