Taking that first debt-free step

Overcommitted on credit? Been made redundant? Had a recent bereavement? Had a breakdown in your relationship?  Maybe you’re suffering from ill-health…

These are just a few reasons as to why someone would find themselves in financial difficulty. As we’ve seen before, the reality of being in debt is that it’s the big issues that cause problems, not racking up the credit card bills on expensive luxuries.

The Money Charity reported that during August 2011:

• The average household unsecured debt in the UK stood at £15,507. If you include mortgages that rises to £55,803
• 331 people were classed as insolvent or bankrupt every day
• Total UK personal debt stood at £1,451bn

We know that not everyone is in financial difficulty but as you can guess, sometimes it can creep up on you, and then one change in circumstances and it all comes crashing down. Before you know it you’re missing payments, not paying your household bills so you can pay those missing payments, and even using more credit to pay off the credit you currently have.

Being in financial difficulty is not a pleasant experience; you may feel like you’re the only one, that there is a huge weight on your shoulders, that there is no way out and you feel embarrassed that people will find out and judge you. You’re scared because you don’t know what to expect or frustrated because no one will listen or help you.

What I can do for you

But what about the phrase, “A problem shared is a problem halved”? We all have a tendency of thinking that things are actually worse than what they are, but if you speak with someone like me (a debt advisor) I can put things into perspective for you and help you understand what’s going on and what to expect. I’ll tell you not to sit there dwelling on what’s happened.

I’ll tell you to read the letters your creditors are sending and don’t hide them away (I can explain the bill if you don’t understand it). I’ll tell you not to pay an unsecured debt over your mortgage, rent or any other household bill. I’ll tell you not to “forget” that it’s all happening in the hope that it’ll all go away, because it won’t; it‘ll just get worse. But importantly, I’ll listen to you, help in any way I can and hopefully make your situation more bearable, to find a solution.

Stay strong

Hold you head up high, it’s not against the law being in debt and it can happen to the best of us. Take each day as it comes and deal with things as they come in. First things first: call us and speak to one of our experienced helpline advisors. Or try our online debt help tool (available 24 hours a day 7 days a week). I always say to my clients that no matter what situation you’re in there’s always a solution, a light at the end of the tunnel. We can help in getting you there.

“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. “
– Martin Luther King, Jr.

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• Living with debt

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