Mary Smith

Getting debt advice from a specialist can be key to solving your debt problem. However, avoiding the problem of bad debt altogether could well be considered to be the best debt solution out there. Here are some straightforward tips to help you avoid bad debt from those specialists at Debtsolver.

Whatever happened to saving up for life’s luxuries? If you want to avoid debt you need to lose the ‘buy now, pay later’ philosophy that has become so popular amongst British consumers. So, as basic as it might sound, if you want to avoid being in debt, don’t borrow money. This might not be rocket science but it’s the best place to start and you’ll be amazed by the number of people who overlook this simple method of avoiding debt.

So, now that you’re already thinking about saving up for that big ticket item, does it seem quite so worthwhile? Don’t worry about keeping up with the Jones’, particularly when it comes to the latest ‘must-have’ electronics. Do bear in mind that these are the very items that date quickly and lose their value faster than any other. That’s not to say that you can’t treat yourself to a cool piece of electrical kit, just remember that if you use credit to buy it, you’ll be paying the debt when the price has plummeted.

You don’t just have to take this approach to those big ticket extravagances either. Anything that you think you could get cheaper by buying directly from the wholesaler, rather than adding on the retailer’s premium, do it. This could range from the most mundane, everyday household items to furniture and clothes.

This is about managing your money more effectively. If you look at the individual items that you buy week in week out, then consider the savings that could be made if you bought them in bulk, you could make substantial savings.

If you are committed to staying debt free, rather than simply maintaining your current financial status, you should show equal commitment to your savings. Saving up and reducing your spending is the start though. Safeguard your long-term financial security by making well informed, safe investments. Debt tends to result from a sudden change in circumstances and the unforeseen expenses that are associated. If you want to be sure of avoiding debt, you need the savings to provide a financial safety net.

When your mounting debt problem begins to get the better of you and the monthly repayments start to spiral out of control, you know that it’s time to seek out a suitable debt solution. Of course, since everyone faces different debt problems, brought on by personal financial circumstances, there can be no definitive answer as to whether one debt solution is better than the other. There are certain constant factors; the sooner you get debt help, the better and there is no quick-fix debt solution. So, regardless of your personal debt problem, you must face up to it and tackle it head on.

There are a range of debt solutions on the market in the UK and each can be tailored to suit your financial circumstances. If you’re feeling the pressure of mounting debt, complete with a strained monthly budget and ongoing creditor harassment, your choice is essentially between quickly reducing the total debt amount and reducing the monthly repayment amount. You can negotiate with your creditors to reach a settlement or draw up a debt management plan to help you service your outstanding debt. Here are some key points on debt settlement and debt management from Debtsolver.

· Debt Management, unlike Debt Settlement, is a relatively informal debt solution between you and your creditors. Reaching an agreement with your creditors about a debt management plan allows you to make a single reduced monthly payment which is divided amongst your creditors.

· Your debt management company will look closely at your financial situation, taking your monthly outgoings, interest rates and minimum monthly repayment amounts into account. They will then negotiate with your creditors to lower your interest rates, freeze charges and reduce the monthly payment.

· If you take your total monthly income, subtract your living expenses and find you have money left over, then debt settlement could be a suitable debt solution for you.

· Shop around for a debt settlement deal and get specialist debt advice before you sign up to anything. Compare the services they offer and favour companies with a bit of heritage and credibility.

· Debt settlement, as with many other debt solutions, can damage your credit rating but obviously, if you are facing mounting debt problems, your credit rating will probably not be great anyway. To find out more about these factors, it’s important to get specialist debt advice.