Tackle debt now – don’t ignore it
Today (6 October 2026) Citizens Advice (CA) revealed that people seeking debt help in England and Wales owe more than £10,000 on average.
CA said that more than 48,000 people a month are seeking help, a 37% increase compared with 2022. Worryingly, 51% of those wanting support are in a negative budget, meaning that their essential outgoings are higher than their incomings. The charity says the increasing debt is being driven by essential costs, including energy, council tax and housing.
@thecomplainingcow Personal debt rises how can you get out of debt? #DebtHelp #DebtAdvice #MoneySavingTips #CostOfLiving #consumerrights
15 top tips for tackling debt
- Don’t ignore it. The more you ignore it, the bigger the debt will get and all the issues associated with that will get worse. Write down exactly what you owe to whom, including interest and minimum payments and all your essential outgoings. This will give you the full picture. For example whether you are in a negative budget, if you have money to pay off debts and if there are outgoings you can cut back on.
- Deal first with priority debts, such as your rent/mortgage, council tax and energy bills, then the expensive borrowing. Some unpaid bills leave you with financial strain but not paying your rent/mortgage could make you homeless, not paying energy bills could result in court fines and costs, etc.
- Check the Better Off Calculator. Put in your details and see the benefits to which you may be entitled.
You can also get debt advice from Citizens Advice, StepChange and National Debtline. They will work with you on your budget. Citizens Advice Scotland and Advice NI for Northern Ireland,- Visit the website of Turn2Us, who provide information and advice on what assistance is available, including charities and community organisations that might help you pay your bills.
- Contact your energy supplier to explain that you are having difficulty paying. Under OFGEM rules it must help you. This could be payment plans, breaks and access to any support funds. See Available financial support for energy customers.
- Contact your water supplier and explain your situation and see Available financial support for water customers which explains some of the ways water companies can help you, including a social tariffs.
- Contact your broadband supplier. Again, explain the situation and see what they can do to help, including social tariffs. See Available financial support for Broadband customers for more help including ways to save money.
- Be realistic about what you can afford. Not leaving enough money for food may mean you then pay for food on a credit card, thus increasing your debt.
- If you have money available to start clearing debts, there are two common approaches. The Avalanche Method which involves maintaining the necessary payments on your debts while putting your spare money towards the debt charging the highest interest rate. Once that’s cleared, you move on to the next most expensive debt. Generally this saves you the most in interest.You tackle the smallest debt first with the Snowball Method. Once that is paid off you use the money you were previously using on that to pay the next debt. It is not necessarily the best method but can be more motivating to see a debt disappear.Talk to one of the organisations mentioned above to explore what would work best for you.
- Minimum repayments on your credit card can keep you in debt for years. If you can afford to pay more than the minimum payment, do so, but not at the expense of your priority debts.
- Contact any creditors, explaining your financial difficulty and ask what support is available. Do this in writing, so that you have evidence of what was agreed. If you do ring make sure it is followed up with an email.
- Get free, confidential advice from a trained and experienced debt adviser through Money Helper. They will help you with how to manage your debt and submit an application for the Breathing Space (Debt Respite Scheme) where you can get 60 days protection from creditors.
- If you have credit card debt, look at offers on taking out a new card with 0% interest for a limited time that may be available. Don’t spend more on this, but if you transfer it will stop the interest amounts increasing.
- Do not be tempted to borrow money from someone not regulated to lend money. If you have borrowed from a “loan shark” see how to deal with a loan shark for help with writing off the whole debt.
Saving money at Christmas
As we head towards the most expensive time of the year, it can be hard to think of how to cope with Christmas. But you don’t need to go without in order to enjoy Christmas. See the posts below for help:
How to stay out of debt this Christmas how to budget for Christmas.
Is it too soon to be getting ready for next Christmas?! start saving and making money from the days after Christmas!
How to save money on Christmas presents how to still be thoughtful and give,
How to save money and give thoughtful gifts this Christmas more ideas on being generous and ethical at Christmas,
How to stay out of debt this Christmas how to budget for Christmas.
Low-cost Christmas ideas: 15 activities on a budget saving money on Christmas activities.
20 ways to enjoy Christmas festivities on a tight budget things you can do to enjoy the spirit of Christmas spending little to no money.
25 Free and low cost Christmas activities festivities that won’t break the bank.
Saving money at Christmas all year round
Here are some ideas from my book 456 Ways to save Money on Christmas Throughout the Year.
It provides help with budgeting, prioritising, saving, spending and preparing differently. Chapters include setting a budget and money saving on cards, presents, clothes, festivities, travel, holidays and entertainment. With so many tips to choose from, there will be plenty that are new.
“With Helen’s advice you can save money this year and every year. Read this book and you can make sure that every penny you spend goes on maximising merriment and minimising money worries. Merry Christmas.”
Felicity Hannah, financial broadcaster and journalist
“This book is a quick and easy read, full of fab ideas, hints, tips and sensible consumer advice. Even if you couldn’t give two hoots for Christmas itself, it’s worth reading this book just to pick up the many and various ways to save dayo-day.”
Jasmine Birtles, TV finance expert and founder of MoneyMagpie.com
“If you want to save some cash this Christmas, Helen’s book is well worth a read. As well as tips for getting cheat decorations and teaching you how to haggle for discounts on gifts with damaged boxes, she also flags many schemes that might save you money. She includes lots of original ideas and suggestions that could make a huge difference to your Christmas budget reducing the financial pressure that so many of us face in the run up to December 25th.”
Lynsey Hope, Freelance Journalist and Editor
