It’s not uncommon these days to owe money. Most people in the UK, even the wealthiest, use some form of debt. From mortgages to credit cards to loans to overdrafts, you name it there are a thousand and one ways to borrow the money you need to get by and to do the things you want to do. Owing money is normal – it’s ‘the way of the world’.

As Winston Churchill said during World War II, "he who fails to plan, is planning to fail." He was absolutely 100% correct, especially when it comes to managing debt and navigating tricky or hazardous financial waters. Without clear, informed, impartial and experienced debt advice and debt management plans, carefully considered and put together by a debt management company who knows what they’re doing, you could be in trouble.

Debt comes in many shapes, styles and sizes, from credit card bills, overdrafts and store cards to mortgage debt, unpaid domestic bills and all manner of other types of loans and borrowing. The various ways that you can borrow money and end up owing it are almost endless. Those different forms of debt each demand differing interest rates, with some forms of debt being much more expensive than others.

With insolvency figures at a record high, it’s hardly surprising that requests for bankruptcy advice, IVA help and guidance on debt relief orders (DRO) and how best to manage debt are also at an all time high. At the Debt Advice Trust we deal with over 100 people a day calling us for debt advice and IVA advice.

Have you found yourself in a bit of a financial black hole, wondering where the money goes? Are you in a position where every month you are struggling to make ends meet, shifting funds around in an attempt to keep your creditors at bay? It’s not an uncommon story the length and breadth of the UK.

These days it's not difficult to run into problems with debt. We're surrounded with growing unemployment, lack of consolidation loan solutions and the likelihood of increased interest rates in the near furture.