Managing debt
If you've got money problems, it's better to sort them out sooner, rather than later. Take some straightforward steps to help you sort things out.
Remember, if you have debt problems they'll only get worse if it’s not dealt with quickly. If it does get to the point where you’re having money problems, you should consider the following to help you get things under control.
Take steps to deal with your debt
If you have any existing debts or your borrowing is getting out of control, there’s no better time to tackle this situation than right now. With an action plan and determination, you can get your debts under control:
List your debts
The first step is to take stock of everything. Think of it as a financial M.O.T. By writing down all your debts, large and small, you can get a clearer picture of what you owe - it’s time well spent.
Prioritise your debts
Make sure you have your recent bank statements, loan statements and credit card bills to hand. As you're making your list of debts, write down the interest rate you're being charged for each and then prioritise with the highest first.
Move existing debts from expensive interest rates to lower rates
Once you've worked out which debts are costing you the most, you might want to think about transferring any store cards and high-interest credit cards to lower interest credit cards or a personal loan. Just make sure you watch out for any balance transfer fees with credit cards.
Talk to your creditors
Don't put off talking to the people you owe money to - this includes your bank. By letting them know as soon as possible that you’re struggling to make your repayments, they may be able to help you manage them better.
Check if you're better off saving or repaying your debts
Some people like to have some savings even when they’re in debt. Check whether you're actually better off saving first or whether it's better to repay your debts.
To do this, compare the interest rate you're paying on what you owe with what you stand to make on any savings. Remember, you may pay tax on the interest you earn on savings.
Consider a personal loan
One way to approach your debts could be to put them all together in a single personal loan. Not only could doing this make your repayments more manageable by spreading them out over a longer period of time, but it could also help you stay on budget. But, remember, taking out a personal loan could mean it takes longer to pay off your debt and could cost you more in the long run. You’ll also need to be sure you don't rack up any more debt while you’re paying off this loan.
Set the date
There's nothing like a deadline to help keep you on track. Once you've worked out how much debt you owe, you'll have a good idea of how long it will take you to clear that debt. Set yourself a realistic deadline and commit to paying off what you owe by then.
Potential options
The legal options available for you to consider should things become too difficult to sort out on your own depend on where within the UK you live. For more information click one of the following links:
Options in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Options in Scotland
