bts such as credit cards, hire purchase and overdrafts. Explain your financial situation and ask if you can pay a reduced amount, pay late or restructure repayment of an existing debt. They may be able to offer alternatives, and they'll also be able to advise what actions may adversely affect your credit rating.

If you're not comfortable with doing this kind of stuff y

OK, so it's the New Year and the dust has finally settled after the holidays. Granny has been packed off home and the kids are back at school. All you have to worry about is the huge gap between now and the next payday. You've overspent at Christmas yet again, even though you promised yourself last year that you wouldn't. Credit card and store card bills have replaced greeting cards in the mail and your bank account is looking hung-over to say the least...

Firstly, don't panic - sit down and go through all the payments you need to make then put them in priority order. The most important payments are the ones for stuff that you really NEED, like rent or mortgage, food and utilities, NOT that cheap camera in the new year sales or the new gym membership. Is there enough money available for these essentials? If not, you need to talk to your bank right now.

Don't put your head in the sand and wait for standing orders and direct debits to bounce. Your bank may charge you every time an item is refused, and these charges can very soon turn a small overdraft into a big one. Your bank is much more likely to be helpful if you take the initiative and talk to them first.

However, if your credit is maxed out and you can't extend your overdraft or find a loan , you need to talk to your creditors.

Make sure that you deal with your priority debts such as Mortgage/Rent, council tax and utilities before tackling non-priority debts such as credit cards, hire purchase and overdrafts. Explain your financial situation and ask if you can pay a reduced amount, pay late or restructure repayment of an existing debt. They may be able to offer alternatives, and they'll also be able to advise what actions may adversely affect your credit rating.

If you're not comfortable with doing this kind of stuff yo

ng cards in the mail and your bank account is looking hung-over to say the least...

Firstly, don't panic - sit down and go through all the payments you need to make then put them in priority order. The most important payments are the ones for stuff that you really NEED, like rent or mortgage, food and utilities, NOT that cheap camera in the new year sales or the new gym membership. Is there enough money available for these essentials? If not, you need to talk to your bank right now.

Don't put your head in the sand and wait for standing orders and direct debits to bounce. Your bank may charge you every time an item is refused, and these charges can very soon turn a small overdraft into a big one. Your bank is much more likely to be helpful if you take the initiative and talk to them first.

However, if your credit is maxed out and you can't extend your overdraft or find a loan , you need to talk to your creditors.

Make sure that you deal with your priority debts such as Mortgage/Rent, council tax and utilities before tackling non-priority debts such as credit cards, hire purchase and overdrafts. Explain your financial situation and ask if you can pay a reduced amount, pay late or restructure repayment of an existing debt. They may be able to offer alternatives, and they'll also be able to advise what actions may adversely affect your credit rating.

If you're not comfortable with doing this kind of stuff y

membership. Is there enough money available for these essentials? If not, you need to talk to your bank right now.

Don't put your head in the sand and wait for standing orders and direct debits to bounce. Your bank may charge you every time an item is refused, and these charges can very soon turn a small overdraft into a big one. Your bank is much more likely to be helpful if you take the initiative and talk to them first.

However, if your credit is maxed out and you can't extend your overdraft or find a loan , you need to talk to your creditors.

Make sure that you deal with your priority debts such as Mortgage/Rent, council tax and utilities before tackling non-priority debts such as credit cards, hire purchase and overdrafts. Explain your financial situation and ask if you can pay a reduced amount, pay late or restructure repayment of an existing debt. They may be able to offer alternatives, and they'll also be able to advise what actions may adversely affect your credit rating.

If you're not comfortable with doing this kind of stuff y

pful if you take the initiative and talk to them first.

However, if your credit is maxed out and you can't extend your overdraft or find a loan , you need to talk to your creditors.

Make sure that you deal with your priority debts such as Mortgage/Rent, council tax and utilities before tackling non-priority debts such as credit cards, hire purchase and overdrafts. Explain your financial situation and ask if you can pay a reduced amount, pay late or restructure repayment of an existing debt. They may be able to offer alternatives, and they'll also be able to advise what actions may adversely affect your credit rating.

If you're not comfortable with doing this kind of stuff y

bts such as credit cards, hire purchase and overdrafts. Explain your financial situation and ask if you can pay a reduced amount, pay late or restructure repayment of an existing debt. They may be able to offer alternatives, and they'll also be able to advise what actions may adversely affect your credit rating.

If you're not comfortable with doing this kind of stuff yourself, don't forget that there are many organisations that offer help and advice on dealing with debt, and they can sometimes negotiate on your behalf. Your local citizens advice bureau will be able to give you further information.

The most important thing is to face your debts now, before the situation gets out of control and the interest grows. If you take action in time, you can resolve your problems and look forward to a future without money worries.