An escape route for the professional poor

Miranda Likeman calls herself the "professional poor".

She's one of the thousands of Kiwis filling the cafes of our towns and cities, who look as if they are doing well, but they aren't.

They are asset poor and struggle with debt - despite drawing good wages - and they are crying out for financial plans to rein in their spending.

Despite being well educated, the professional poor lack the skills to turn around their financial positions.