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Is it me but doesn’t it seem like we’ve been here before? The Greek crisis seems to have been dragging on longer than the Trojan War. It has been vacillating from spikes of on-the-brink debt refinancing, to periods where it has been seemingly out of the news altogether. But this time things appear different, more...
The purpose of this guide is not to judge, if you are in financial trouble you no doubt already feel judging eyes upon you (whether or not they actually are). Our aim is to give tips on how to get yourself debt free; or at the very least, point you in the direction of people who can help.
It can be the hardest thing to do – particularly to a spouse or partner – but if your debt is spiralling out of control they will find out eventually, so better to confess whilst the problem isn’t as bad.
They say a problem shared is also a problem halved and you’ll be surprised at the level of ease it gives you to vent.
Friends and family may not be able to help materially by settling the debt for you, but they might be able to help out emotionally or in practical ways (such as looking after the kids while you work a second job).
We’re not saying it won’t be difficult, but ultimately not coming clean will be more difficult in the long run – don’t isolate yourself.
Work out how much money you have coming in and what you’re spending it on using a piece of paper, a spreadsheet or an online budget planner like this one from the Money Advice Service, itemise the following:
Do your outgoings exceed your income?
If the answer is YES, you need to cut, cut, cut! Be brutal with yourself.
On the piece of paper cut out any non-essential expenditure and re-total. If possible try to involve someone outside of the situation to help you with this, such as a straight-talking friend or a debt counsellor (see useful links at the end).
Look at areas where you might be able to reduce costs.
Are you getting the best price for your car insurance and home insurance?
What about switching your gas or electricity supply to save on your monthly bills?
Often, as well as saving money, you can earn money through cashback for switching – so plough these savings and earnings straight back into repaying your debt.
If you have credit card debt, an overdraft or store cards, etc. and have not yet missed a payment, a good place to start is to see if you can get a long 0% balance transfer credit card. Remember some credit card companies also charge a balance transfer fee to take over your outstanding debt. Make sure you know how much the balance transfer fee will amount to.
If you don’t trust yourself being disciplined to make the monthly payments, set up a standing order or consider taking out a personal loan. By having your payment taken each month automatically, you don’t have to do anything – apart from watch your debts shrink!
Make sure you know the interest rate charged on each of your debts. If you have store cards (cards that you can use in certain shops to pay for goods over a period of time), these usually offer a discount or a free gift on your first purchase, but can be more expensive than credit cards, so, transferring store card debt to a credit card with a lower interest rate might help you get it repaid sooner.
Read more about store cards: Guide: Who's the lender - UK store cardsGuide: Should I take out a store card?
It’s far nicer to buy things than pay for them, isn’t it? Try to focus on the must have's rather than what you want.
Repaying debt can seem boring, and you may feel like you aren’t getting anywhere. This is the part where discipline is important, and where you might feel like some comfort shopping will break the monotony.
If you want something you can't afford, think what else that money could buy: a week's groceries, a month's rent, or a weekend away. That will put things into perspective.
Look at repaying debts as “reverse saving”.
Instead of saving up for something and then buying; you have bought and then have to save up. The interest you pay is the price of having the money earlier.
When you look at repaying debt as saving, rather than paying, you can really feel better about the positive effect you are making to your personal finances.
If you’re struggling with repayments, it’s always best to let your lender(s) know as soon as possible.
Try to negotiate a more manageable way of repaying your debt.
At the end of the day, your lender wants the debt repaid as much as you do, so showing willing and being communicative will go in your favour.
Don’t go for the first debt solution that presents itself.
Debt worry, like any stressful situation, leaves us vulnerable. Under pressure, your decision-making can be impaired – just when you need it to be at its best.
All the more important then, not to take a debt solution such as an Individual Voluntary Agreement (IVA) without getting proper, independent debt advice first.
It doesn’t have to cost anything and there are organisations out there to help you.
In the past credit unions were constrained by rules which meant that members had to have something in common, such as living in the same geographical area or working for the same employer.
As of January 2012 credit unions will have these restrictions lifted.
Under the new powers, credit unions will be able to:
Read more about credit unions: Guide: What are credit unions?Blog: Credit where credit’s due
These changes will allow credit unions to provide a more effective alternative to high street banks on the one hand and high cost lenders and loan sharks on the other.
Such an offering could scarcely come at a better time; currently there is a situation where people not judged suitable for credit by the banks have to choose between not borrowing, doorstop lending, short-term loan companies or, even worse, loan sharking.