DEBT AND MONEY MANAGEMENT
No debt problems are unsolvable. It might not be easy or quick, but there's always a route. And the earlier you deal with them, the easier they are to deal with.
Debt isn't just a finance issue. It feeds into all elements of your life. So solutions are wide and varied; from cutting interest costs, budgeting, or simply getting free one-on-one debt help.
There are two ways to deal with problem debt. Which one is right for you depends on whether you're in what's technically defined as debt crisis, or if you just have worrying or large debts. What counts as debt crisis depends on who you ask. There's a strong indication if you answer yes to either of these...
Are you struggling to pay all basic outgoings, eg, mortgage, rent, energy bills and credit card minimums?
- or -
Are your debts (excluding your mortgage) bigger than a year’s after-tax income?
Even if your debts are big: if you can service them, even at the minimum level, you're not in debt crisis and a different solution applies.
Debt isn't just a finance issue. It feeds into all elements of your life. So solutions are wide and varied; from cutting interest costs, budgeting, or simply getting free one-on-one debt help.
There are two ways to deal with problem debt. Which one is right for you depends on whether you're in what's technically defined as debt crisis, or if you just have worrying or large debts. What counts as debt crisis depends on who you ask. There's a strong indication if you answer yes to either of these...
Are you struggling to pay all basic outgoings, eg, mortgage, rent, energy bills and credit card minimums?
- or -
Are your debts (excluding your mortgage) bigger than a year’s after-tax income?
Even if your debts are big: if you can service them, even at the minimum level, you're not in debt crisis and a different solution applies.
that's great - but i need help now!
Call into Streets Ahead! Well, the obvious first place to go!!
We can't do everything and we don't have a magic wand but we will listen to YOU, we don't judge and we see debt and money problems everyday.
If you don't know which way to turn then a sit down, a chat (completely confidential) and a (free) cup of tea and some biscuits might help you make a start in getting sorted out.
Dont forget to make sure you are getting all the benfits and entitlements you should be getting! Have a look on our Benefits and Entitlements page
Remember one of our mottos is - if we don't know, we know someone who does!
We can't do everything and we don't have a magic wand but we will listen to YOU, we don't judge and we see debt and money problems everyday.
If you don't know which way to turn then a sit down, a chat (completely confidential) and a (free) cup of tea and some biscuits might help you make a start in getting sorted out.
Dont forget to make sure you are getting all the benfits and entitlements you should be getting! Have a look on our Benefits and Entitlements page
Remember one of our mottos is - if we don't know, we know someone who does!
YOU COULD TRY THE NATIONAL DEBT ADVICE
The UK Government has put together debt help schemes to help people resolve their debt problems and become debt free. These government backed debt schemes are completely legal and thousands of people undertake them every month. National Debt Advice is here to help you find the correct debt advice to match your personal circumstances. Finding a debt solution that works for your personal debt problem should be your first priority. However, the best debt advice is most important, after all, taking the wrong debt advice could cost you more than just time and money.
Primarily, In order for you to work out where you need to be in financial terms you should analyse your current personal debt situation. A debt advisor will do this for you.
Click on this link to go to their site
The UK Government has put together debt help schemes to help people resolve their debt problems and become debt free. These government backed debt schemes are completely legal and thousands of people undertake them every month. National Debt Advice is here to help you find the correct debt advice to match your personal circumstances. Finding a debt solution that works for your personal debt problem should be your first priority. However, the best debt advice is most important, after all, taking the wrong debt advice could cost you more than just time and money.
Primarily, In order for you to work out where you need to be in financial terms you should analyse your current personal debt situation. A debt advisor will do this for you.
Click on this link to go to their site
SOME VERY USEFUL ADVICE COURTESY OF MONEYSAVINGEXPERT.COM
The MoneySavingExpert.com web site has loads of useful information about dealing with debt and has a host of other help on getting the best deal.
Their site suggests these places where you could get the debt advice you need.
Citizens Advice
Full debt and consumer advice service. Many bureaux have specialist caseworkers to deal with any type of debt, including repossessions and negotiation with creditors.
Civil Legal Advice
Legal advice on a small range of issues, including debt where your home is at risk. Recent funding cuts have restricted who can get this, but a handy checker tells you if you're eligible.
StepChange Debt Charity
A full debt help service in available across the UK. Online support is also available via its Debt Remedy tool and vulnerable people (due to age, mental health or capacity) are able to get extra help support via the free advocacy service.
Debt Advice Foundation
A debt advice and education charity offering one-to-one advice.
Debt Support Trust
The Debt Support Trust is a not-for-profit debt advice charity covering England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland via its phone, email or online debt analyser tool.
National Debtline
National Debtline provides free advice and resources to help people deal with their debts. Advice is available over the phone, online and via webchat.
Business Debtline
Business Debtline provides free advice and resources to help people deal with their finances and debts, both business and personal. Their service is available over the phone, online and via webchat.
The Debt Counsellors
The Debt Counsellors are a charity providing free debt advice to people in England and Wales over the phone and online.
Payplan
Free debt advice and solutions for those in financial difficulty. Note that PayPlan is a for profit company, although the advice is free.
Local agencies
Community Money Advice: has a map of local face-to-face debt advice - see if there's one in your area. Link: Community Money Advice
Money Advice Service: its Debt Advice Locator helps you search for a debt advice service near you. Link: Debt Advice Locator
Yellow Pages / Local council: Try looking in your local Yellow Pages or asking your council if it knows of local advice centres.
Their site suggests these places where you could get the debt advice you need.
Citizens Advice
Full debt and consumer advice service. Many bureaux have specialist caseworkers to deal with any type of debt, including repossessions and negotiation with creditors.
- Link: Citizens Advice or visit your local CA centre (find nearest)
- Opening Times: different for each bureau
Civil Legal Advice
Legal advice on a small range of issues, including debt where your home is at risk. Recent funding cuts have restricted who can get this, but a handy checker tells you if you're eligible.
- Link: Legal Aid Checker
- Tel: 0345 345 4345
- Opening times: Mon - Fri 9am - 8pm, Sat 9am - 12.30pm
StepChange Debt Charity
A full debt help service in available across the UK. Online support is also available via its Debt Remedy tool and vulnerable people (due to age, mental health or capacity) are able to get extra help support via the free advocacy service.
- Link: StepChange Debt Charity
- Tel: 0800 138 1111 (also free from mobiles)
- Opening Times: Mon - Fri 8am to 8pm, Sat 8am to 4pm
Debt Advice Foundation
A debt advice and education charity offering one-to-one advice.
- Link: Debt Advice Foundation
- Tel: 0800 043 40 50
- Opening times: Mon - Fri 8am to 8pm, Sat 9am to 5pm
Debt Support Trust
The Debt Support Trust is a not-for-profit debt advice charity covering England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland via its phone, email or online debt analyser tool.
- Link: Debt Support Trust
- Tel: 0800 085 0226 (or email)
- Opening times: Mon - Fri 8am to 7pm
National Debtline
National Debtline provides free advice and resources to help people deal with their debts. Advice is available over the phone, online and via webchat.
- Link: National Debtline
- Tel: 0808 808 4000
- Opening Times: Mon - Fri 9am to 8pm, Sat 9.30am to 1pm
Business Debtline
Business Debtline provides free advice and resources to help people deal with their finances and debts, both business and personal. Their service is available over the phone, online and via webchat.
- Link: Business Debtline
- Tel: 0800 197 6026
- Opening Times: Mon - Fri 9am to 5.30pm
The Debt Counsellors
The Debt Counsellors are a charity providing free debt advice to people in England and Wales over the phone and online.
- Link: The Debt Counsellors
- Phone: 0300 456 2726
- Opening Times: Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm or can pre-arrange evening and weekend calls
Payplan
Free debt advice and solutions for those in financial difficulty. Note that PayPlan is a for profit company, although the advice is free.
- Link: Payplan
- Tel: 0800 280 2816 (free from mobiles too)
- Opening Times: Mon - Fri 8am to 9pm, Sat 9am to 3pm
Local agencies
Community Money Advice: has a map of local face-to-face debt advice - see if there's one in your area. Link: Community Money Advice
Money Advice Service: its Debt Advice Locator helps you search for a debt advice service near you. Link: Debt Advice Locator
Yellow Pages / Local council: Try looking in your local Yellow Pages or asking your council if it knows of local advice centres.