We have a page of general thoughts about debt problems.

You can get free advice about your own situation from

•   National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux - 0207 833 2181
   
•   Consumer Credit Counselling Service - 0800 1381111
   
•   National Debtline - 0645 500511.

However, there may be a delay before you can see some of them. And after they've advised you, it's up to you to put their advice into action.

We can also suggest a good source of ongoing professional help with debt problems.

The Citizens' Advice Bureaux offer an advice only service. But debt management companies do what it says on the tin. If you really want to grip your debts and get back on track, a good debt management company will do a lot of the nasty work for you. You provide the regular payments - and the self-discipline.

You pay a (relatively small) fixed monthly fee that you know the amount of in advance.

In exchange, they take over the burdens of dealing with the creditors, acting on your behalf for as long as you require assistance. So you don't have to deal directly with your creditors any more. It can be worth it for the stress relief alone! A good debt management company can also help you if any creditor does continue to harass you directly. But in fact you get a lot more.

They use your income & expenditure declaration to compile a debt management plan. Then they issue financial statements and re-negotiate payment terms with your creditors - making sure that your legal rights are acknowledged and your payments are distributed fairly.

Our preferred company say 70% of the arrangements they make result in interest concessions. They are quite open in saying they can't guarantee that in every case. But that's another probable benefit.

You send the debt management company one payment a week or one payment a month and they distribute it among the creditors in line with the agreed plan. Creditors often want to see a few months of regular payments before they agree to an interest concession. Just pay the debt management company the single fixed sum each week or each month, and they will organise this for you.

Why do we particularly like one debt management company? Because their monthly fees are fixed. You know what the fees will be up front. No nasty hidden surprises from them.

What now? The first thing to do is get hold of their clear and helpful brochure.

To contact them click here.

Remember that debt problems will never go away if you are not honest about them. Reading these pages is a good start. Well done.

Be honest with the expert - and with yourself. Tell them absolutely everything up front. They're not there to judge you. Unburden yourself completely. Things may or may not be your fault. But an expert can't do the best for you if they don't have all the facts.