If you are in debt and struggling here's some tips for handling your situation.
1. Have you got a mortgage? If so, this is your first priority. If yo are struggling to make the monthly payments and it isn't already, convert it into an interest only mortgage. From there, if you are struggling to make payments can you get onto a lower interest rate? See a Mortgage Adviser.
And, if that's still not solving your problems, if you can make half payments rather than full, it will take you 2 months to get a month into arrears - do your best.
2. After that, pay your house bills - council tax, utilities etc and cut down all the bills that you can.
3. Credit cards - if you have these and they have become unmanageable, get in touch with PayPlan or someone similar. They will advise you on what to do with them, but essentially, they will negotiate with all your credit cards to make a plan for repaying the debt, with no further interest charged etc. It will mess up your credit rating, but, likely as not that will be going south anyway. Don't bury your head in the sand.
4. Then, get on the Consumer Action Group website - they have templated letters for doing all the following. Write off for a copy of your original contract that you signed to get the card - this is to make sure the debt is enforcable. Also send of an SAR letter - this asks for the card company to send you details of all charges they have made in the last 6 years - there is a chance you'll be able to claim them back.
Good luck, I hope that's all useful
Adrian
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