How To Get Your Your Money And Debt Under Control
If you are struggling with money and debt here are some
things you can do to help. Admit to yourself that you have
to much debt. It is very easy to strugle on each month
robbing Peter to pay Paul without getting to grips with the
problem. If you are spending more than 10%-15% of your
income (excluding a mortgage) on debt repayments you are
probably financially stretched. List out how much you owe
on credit cards and loans etc. It will come as a shock so be
prepared! Also list out what the repayments are on each.
Check if your spending on debt servicing is higher than 10-
15 % of your income.
If it is, here are some options to sort out the problem. If
you can, increase your income. You may be eligible for
government money such as tax credits or help with council
tax or rent if you are on a low income. Alternatively you
may be able to get a part time job or rent out the spare
room.
If it is not possible to increase your income you need to
look at ways of reducing your spending. Are there things you
can cut down on? Start buying cheaper products at the
supermarket. It is amazing how much your grocery bill can be
reduced by buying "own brands".
If increasing your income or reducing your expenditure is
not possible or insufficient then write to the people you
owe money to and explain the situation and ask them to
suspend the interest so that you can start to reduce what
you owe them. This is known as an informal arrangement.
More formally you can arrange for a legally binding
agreement with your creditors called an Individual Voluntary
Arrangement. This will often reduce the total amount you owe
by a considerable amount. The other main way of getting rid
of uncontrollable debts is bankruptcy, this has been made
easier and simpler of late. You should get some advice about
these options from the local Citizen's Advice Bureau.
The main thing to do if your are struggling financially is
to do something about it, before it gets worse.
things you can do to help. Admit to yourself that you have
to much debt. It is very easy to strugle on each month
robbing Peter to pay Paul without getting to grips with the
problem. If you are spending more than 10%-15% of your
income (excluding a mortgage) on debt repayments you are
probably financially stretched. List out how much you owe
on credit cards and loans etc. It will come as a shock so be
prepared! Also list out what the repayments are on each.
Check if your spending on debt servicing is higher than 10-
15 % of your income.
If it is, here are some options to sort out the problem. If
you can, increase your income. You may be eligible for
government money such as tax credits or help with council
tax or rent if you are on a low income. Alternatively you
may be able to get a part time job or rent out the spare
room.
If it is not possible to increase your income you need to
look at ways of reducing your spending. Are there things you
can cut down on? Start buying cheaper products at the
supermarket. It is amazing how much your grocery bill can be
reduced by buying "own brands".
If increasing your income or reducing your expenditure is
not possible or insufficient then write to the people you
owe money to and explain the situation and ask them to
suspend the interest so that you can start to reduce what
you owe them. This is known as an informal arrangement.
More formally you can arrange for a legally binding
agreement with your creditors called an Individual Voluntary
Arrangement. This will often reduce the total amount you owe
by a considerable amount. The other main way of getting rid
of uncontrollable debts is bankruptcy, this has been made
easier and simpler of late. You should get some advice about
these options from the local Citizen's Advice Bureau.
The main thing to do if your are struggling financially is
to do something about it, before it gets worse.
