In her 20s, Serena Smith appeared to be living the dream. She had a respectable job as a civil servant, enjoyed glamorous nights out, wore designer clothes from Jimmy Choo, Dior and Mulberry, and took luxury holidays to Dubai, Marbella and Portugal. However, the reality was starkly different. Earning just £17,000 a year, she spent like someone on a £50,000 salary, a lifestyle that nearly cost her everything.
The Hidden Cost of Drinking
Smith began regular drinking at 16, binge-drinking through evenings and making 'living for the weekend' her entire personality. She refused to admit she had a problem because she never drank at home, believing she had control. In truth, her boozy lifestyle left her thousands of pounds in debt.
In her early twenties, she worked full-time at the Department for Work and Pensions from 8am to 4pm, then taught pole fitness classes from 5pm to 9pm. On nights out, she would head straight from teaching, not getting home until 4am before returning to her desk by 8am.
Financial Ruin and Toxic Relationships
Drinking justified every bad decision, especially spending. She ate out at least three times a week at places like Piccolino, flew to Dubai, Marbella, Portugal, Kos and Amsterdam, bought designer items, and had professional hair and makeup for nights out. Weekends were a cycle of work, partying, shopping in Manchester, and more partying.
Alcohol also led her into toxic relationships. She met her ex on a drunken night out after being abandoned by friends. He saw a big personality that was vulnerable. Following the closure of her pole studio Dance Finesse in 2016 due to financial pressure, he presented himself as stable but contributed nothing financially, chasing his ex while she covered everything.
By mid-2016, Smith had over £20,000 in debt across loans and credit cards, leading to defaults. Working in financial services, her credit history was critical, and she feared losing her job. She worked three jobs and, with support from StepChange and a small inheritance, cleared the debt within two years.
Continued Struggle and Turning Point
Despite clearing the debt, the drinking continued. She found herself in dangerous situations and saw the path she was on but didn't know how to step off. Friendships were built around alcohol. In February 2020, she started a fertility journey alone, planning intrauterine insemination (IUI). Then lockdown arrived, and she accidentally stopped drinking for twelve months.
She launched her mortgage brokerage, Mortgages with Serena, in May 2020. In July 2021, she fell off the wagon at a cousin's hen do, getting so drunk she blacked out, couldn't stand or talk, and lost control of her bladder. That frightening experience gave her clarity: she was done with alcohol.
A New Life
Stopping drinking wasn't hard, but society's reaction was. Friendships shifted, and some ended. But good things started happening. In July 2023, she bought a home in the Ribble Valley using equity from her first property. In November 2023, she gave online dating one final try, stating she wanted marriage and children. She met her partner that month, became pregnant in February 2024, and gave birth to identical twin boys in October 2024.
In August 2025, she rebranded her business to The Mortgage Account Ltd. Now 39, she earns around £85,000 gross and lives in a home worth £350,000, all in her own name. She gets 99% of clients via Instagram, posting daily educational content on mortgages.
Smith reflects, 'I couldn't think of anything worse now than having a drink. I have toddler twin boys, no support network, and we haven't had a single night away. I wouldn't want one. I love them more than I ever loved to party.'
She adds, 'If I had carried on, I dread to think where I would have ended up. Giving up alcohol did not cost me anything worth keeping. To any woman who thinks her lifestyle is too chaotic or her credit history too damaged to own a home, it is not too late.'
