Debt advice

Managing money is a challenge for most people and getting into debt is a lot easier than getting back out of it. If you do have financial problems, seek impartial advice as soon as possible. Do not ignore debt problems!

Contact your lenders, creditors and anyone else sending you red bills as soon as possible. The earlier they know about the problem, the more sympathetic they're likely to be. Creditors sometimes add the costs of phone calls and written reminders to the interest you're already paying, so sorting things out quickly will stop these costs piling up. Explain the problem and try to come to some arrangement about repayments. They probably won't write off the debt (although it's always worth a try) but they might be willing to accept smaller repayments over a longer period of time. Contact the organisations listed on this page for further free impartial advice.

If you have any problems paying your council tax or paying rent on a Plymouth City Council property please contact us immediately for advice. We can also advise on any relevant benefits you may be entitled to.

Seeking impartial advice

Some of the common questions faced are:

• how do I get out of, and stay out of, debt?
• how do I handle credit?
• how do I plan and keep to a budget?
• how do I save for the future?

There are several non-commercial local and national organisations that can offer free impartial advice on money problems.

Local

Keyham Community Partnership - Advice in money matters for families with children under five in the Keystone Sure Start area. Telephone 01752 208666.

Money Advice Plymouth (MAP) - Advice in money matters for residents of Barne Barton, North Prospect and Stonehouse. They also provide advice for families with children under five, and expectant mothers in the Sure Start Tamar Folk area. There are also plans to deliver debt and money advice from Housing Offices commencing in Spring 2006. Telephone 01752 208126.

Plymouth and District Mind – Advice in money matters for people with mental health issues. Tel: 01752 254004.

Plymouth Citizens Advice Bureau – Advice in money matters for all. Telephone 0870 126 4011, email bureau.plymouthcab@cabnet.org.uk

Plymouth Focus Advice Centre - Advice in money matters for all. Telephone 01752 669785.

Southway Information Centre - Advice in money matters for all. Telephone 01752 776924.

Tomorrow's People - Advice in money matters for unemployed people or those working under 16 hours per week and eligible to seek work. Telephone 01752 266314.

National

BBC Finance - Information about various aspects of finance.

Citizens Advice Bureau - Offers free advice about credit and money issues from 700 local Bureaux.

Consumer Credit Counselling Service - A free confidential advice service for people in debt. They can help you to prioritise debts and liaise with creditors on your behalf.

Credit Action - National charity, which aims to help people educate themselves about money.

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