A 10,000 Foot View of Debt Consolidation
But national figures and statistical studies don’t do a thing for you and me if we have the challenge of managing and trying to get control over a private debt situation that seems like it is going to consume us. So we turn to the many alternatives to learn what are the pros and what are the cons of different debt consolation plans.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/A%2010,000%20Foot%20View%20of%20Debt%20Consolidation.htm

Are you Drowning in Debt?
It is no secret that most people have too much consumer debt. It is all too easy to just sign your name on the dotted line and run that credit card up to the max. Unfortunately, many users of credit cards seem to forget that eventually the bill comes due, and they may be in for a rude surprise when it does.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Are%20you%20Drowning%20in%20Debt.htm

Are you using credit to pay off old debt?
If you are stuck with a bunch of old debt and find yourself using your credit cards to finance this debt, you could be doing yourself a grave financial disservice. Using credit to pay off old debt is almost never a good idea. If you look around, you should be able to find a better and more cost effective way to retire the old debts you have been carrying around.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Are%20you%20using%20credit%20to%20pay%20off%20old%20debt.htm

Bailiff
The life of a bailiff is often not an easy one. Of course some of the job is just routine paperwork and serving warrants, but like any job in the law enforcement field there is danger and risk as well.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Bailiff.htm

Bankruptcy
The statistics can be very depressing. Personal savings rates are at some of their lowest points in history. At the same time, consumers are carrying an ever increasing load of personal debt.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Bankruptcy.htm

Bankruptcy cheats face Government crackdown
In case you have not heard the news, there is a new law on the books that makes it harder to declare bankruptcy. This new law also makes it harder to hide income and assets when declaring bankruptcy.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Bankruptcy%20cheats%20face%20Government%20crackdown.htm

Best Home Equity Loan
There is no doubt that using the equity you’ve built up over the years can be an attractive way to consolidate and eliminate household debt. There are some important considerations with this option, however.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Best%20Home%20Equity%20Loan.htm

Budgeting Advice
You may think you know where your money is coming from and where it is going, but if you do not have a written, monthly budget you cannot know for sure.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Budgeting%20Advice.htm

Cheese Coated Debt
Are you suffering at the angry hand of debt? You are not alone; Personal bankruptcies are at an all time high. In 1999 there were more than 1.354 million declared. Break away from the vicious cycle and Join the remaining millions that are already free, and are now enjoying life.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Cheese%20Coated%20Debt.htm

Choosing Between Equity And Business Debt
When you are just starting out in business, taking on business debt can be one of the most frightening decisions you can make. The future of your business, your employees and your family rests on your ability to make sound financial decisions.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Choosing%20Between%20Equity%20And%20Business%20Debt.htm

Collecting on a Bad Business Debt
One of the worst nightmares every business owner faces is the reality of having to collect on a bad business debt. We all take payment in good faith, believing the customer has the best of intentions but the truth is that there are some customers our there just waiting to scam an unsuspecting business and get a product or service for free.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Collecting%20on%20a%20Bad%20Business%20Debt.htm

Credit Cards and Your Credit Score
Credit cards can be beneficial, especially when you need to make a hotel room reservation or reserve a card. They can be helpful to hand on hand in case of emergency, but they can also be addictive and dangerous.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Credit%20Cards%20and%20Your%20Credit%20Score.htm

Credit Checks And Marriage
Money problems are unfortunately one of the number one reasons leading to divorce each year. Differing views on how to spend money, resolve financial problems and handle credit issues can lead to explosive arguments, resentment and ultimately divorce.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Credit%20Checks%20And%20Marriage.htm

Crushing Credit Card Debt
There is no doubt that the recent decades have been witness to an explosion in levels of credit card debt among consumers. The relative ease of obtaining credit cards, coupled with the anemic growth of wages and the wealth of consumer products available today has pushed more and more people to spend more than they make and in essence to live on borrowed money and borrowed time.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Crushing%20Credit%20Card%20Debt.htm

Debt Collection
Given the high rates of personal debt carried by many people today, coupled with the low savings rate, it is no wonder that the business of debt collection is booming.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Debt%20Collection.htm

Debt Help
If you need and want to get out of debt, where exactly do you turn for help? There are obviously a number of factors that you would consider when needing advice.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Debt%20Help.htm

Debt Reduction
If you feel like you are swimming in a sea of credit card debt, you are not alone. This fact probably will not make you feel any better, but the fact that you have lots of company means that there are a variety of debt reduction strategies and debt reduction services you can use to get back on solid financial ground.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Debt%20Reduction.htm

Dig Yourself Out of Debt
As you may have read, the savings rate for people today is at its lowest point in many years, maybe at its lowest point ever. Many people do not even have the two to three months of wages put aside that most financial experts suggest keeping as an emergency fund.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Dig%20Yourself%20Out%20of%20Debt.htm

Divorce and your credit score
A sad reality among many married couples today is that divorces are occurring at an alarming rate. Perhaps even worse than the destruction of the marriage are the results that soon follow. Many of the side effects of divorce involve money, credit issues and far too often personal bankruptcy.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Divorce%20and%20your%20credit%20score.htm

Financial Planning
Planning for your financial future and putting away money for a rainy day is more important now that it ever was. The term financial planning can be used to cover a variety of subjects, everything from retirement planning to buying a home to starting your own business.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Financial%20Planning.htm

Finding the Best Mortgage Loan Rate
Buying a home may be the most important financial decision you will ever make. Buying a home is an important decision, and most homeowners will be carrying their mortgage debt for decades. For this reason, even a small difference in your interest rate will make a huge difference in your monthly payments, and in how much you pay over the life of the loan.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Finding%20the%20Best%20Mortgage%20Loan%20Rate.htm

Five Differences Between Debt Reduction and Credit Counseling
More and more consumers today find themselves in the uncomfortable situation of only being able to afford the minimum payments on their credit cards. Or, even worse, not being able to afford even the minimum payments. In today’s world, it is often easy to get in over your head and find yourself spending more than you make.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Five%20Differences%20Between%20Debt%20Reduction%20and%20Credit%20Counseling.htm

Getting the Loan you Need Has Never Been Easier
If you’re thinking of making a major new purchase, but you’re wondering where you’ll get the money, you’re not alone. Unless you’re financially independent, most people will need a loan to make any major purchases.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Getting%20the%20Loan%20you%20Need%20Has%20Never%20Been%20Easier.htm

Home Loan for Those with Bad Credit
There is more interest than ever in home ownership, and more and more renters are taking the important step of becoming first time homeowners. However, for those with less than perfect credit, finding the right home loan can be a big challenge.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Home%20Loan%20for%20Those%20with%20Bad%20Credit.htm

How creditcard bill's are calculated
If you have ever sat down with your monthly credit card statement or statements and tried to calculate how your monthly minimum payment required came to be, it can be difficult enough to give you headache. Many banks that issue credit cards lure consumers in with low introductory rates that suddenly zoom to astronomical highs after that initial trial period is over.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/How%20creditcard%20bills%20are%20calculated.htm

How Debt Management Can Help
The past several decades have seen an explosion in the levels of consumer debt. While many of our parents and grandparents went their entire lives without incurring any debt beyond possibly their mortgage, their children and grandchildren seem to be making up for lost time. These days it is not unusual for college or even high school students to have their own credit cards, but unfortunately education on how to use credit wisely seems to be lacking.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/How%20Debt%20Management%20Can%20Help.htm

How your credit score effects your mortgage
Each year thousands of prospective homeowners are shocked to discover their credit history will keep them from their dream of home ownership. While it may seem surprising that an individual could know so little about their own credit score, the truth is that far too many consumers go blithely through life, unconcerned about how their financial actions my effect their future plans.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/How%20your%20credit%20score%20effects%20your%20mortgage.htm

Improve Credit
Improving your credit can be a difficult process but it is important to take the time and expend the energy to improve your credit score as much as possible. Your credit report and your credit score go a long way toward determining the interest rate you can get on such things as car loans, personal loans and home mortgage loans. Since even a small difference in your interest rate can save you hundreds of dollars over the life of the loan, achieving the best possible interest rate is vital to your long term financial well being.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Improve%20Credit.htm

Increase in Consumer Debt Advice
Recent years have shown a huge increase in the amount of consumer debt that people are carrying. This increase had lead to just as large an increase in the debt advice available to help consumers who get in over their head.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Increase%20in%20Consumer%20Debt%20Advice.htm

Insolvency
Insolvency is when all of one's assets are insufficient in contrast to the amount they own in debt. It means that you are unable to pay debts in accordance to when they are due. Insolvency is often what ultimately leads to bankruptcy as this is the most functional (and in a way, the 'fast–track') approach to being freed from the build up of overwhelming debt.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Insolvency.htm

Insurance
Insurance may not be one of the most exciting or glamorous subject around, but it can be very important to both your financial well being and your piece of mind. There are insurance products available for virtually any need, from the typical health insurance, life insurance and car insurance to the more esoteric things like insurance for antiques and collectibles and even health insurance for your pets.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Insurance.htm

Interest Rates
Interest rates are one aspect of the financial world that affects just about everybody. The direction of interest rates determines everything from the monthly payment on your mortgage to the interest rate on your credit card. On the other side of the ledger, interest rates affect the money you generate on your checking , savings or money market account. Retirees living on the proceeds of fixed annuities or bank certificates of deposits are also affected when interest rates rise or fall.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Interest%20Rates.htm

Loan Sharks
In the world today, it is not at all unusual to find yourself short of the cash you need to pay your bills, feed your family and maintain a reasonable lifestyle. For every working stiff who runs out of money before they run out of week, there are unfortunately a number of shady characters willing to loan you all the money you need at an exorbitant interest rate. You will have to be careful to avoid these loan sharks when you find yourself in need of quick cash.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Loan%20Sharks.htm

Mastercard-What you should know
If you are considering getting a MasterCard or you are having difficulty in meeting your monthly obligations due to credit card debt there are several things you need to know and understand about MasterCard and how a MasterCard works.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Mastercard-What%20you%20should%20know.htm

More Articles
Articles Written by Ellise Walsh
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/more1.htm

Pros and Cons of Outsourcing Debt Collection
Any person who runs their own business will eventually encounter the problem of debt collection. While most of your clients may pay on time and in full, you will inevitably encounter the customer who just refuses to pay his or her bills.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Pros%20and%20Cons%20of%20Outsourcing%20Debt%20Collection.htm

Redundancy
Redundancy is a term that gets thrown around a lot these days. As more and more companies find that it makes sense to merge, eliminating redundancy is always a major goal in the merger.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Redundancy.htm

Redundancy Brief
Redundancy can be mentally demeaning and physically draining. Due to the industry becoming more and more fast paced, it means more and more people are loosing their jobs, and as a result, redundancy has unfortunately become a fact of life. Until you experience it, it's hard to imagine how stressful it can actually be. However you are not alone, and should seek the widely available support and advice that is out there.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Redundancy%20Brief.htm

Stuck With Debt
For many years now, the rate of consumer debt has been growing steadily, year after year. At the same time, rates of personal savings have been declining, thus leaving people with a smaller and smaller cushion to help them through a financial crisis.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Stuck%20With%20Debt.htm

Student loans can help you fund your higher education
If you have been putting off furthering your education and entering university because you believe you can’t afford the cost of tuition and fees as well as supporting yourself and possibly a family, you should consider applying for student loans.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Student%20loans%20can%20help%20you%20fund%20your%20higher%20education.htm

Student Loans in the UK for Parents
While it may seem like just yesterday your little boy or girl was playing at your knee, the time has quickly approached to begin thinking about higher education. In regards to university it’s always best to begin planning as early as possible. With the rising cost of higher education, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the average family to fund tuition for a university education for their child.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Information%20about%20Student%20Loans%20in%20the%20UK%20for%20Parents.htm

The consumers' guide to credit counseling
It is not surprising that more and more people seek credit counseling services every year. Levels of consumer debt have never been higher and savings rates have never been lower. Given these two volatile facts, it is not surprising that even a small financial setback can quickly spiral out of control and leave you with more debt than you can handle.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/The%20consumers%20guide%20to%20credit%20counseling.htm

UK County Court Judgments
UK county court judgments can prevent many borrowers from getting the loans they need. If you have a UK county court judgment, it may be a good idea to consolidate your debt and pay it off. Paying off the debts you owe can go a long way toward clearing your credit and getting you back on the right financial track.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/UK%20County%20Court%20Judgments.htm

Using a Visa Card Responsibly
Over the years credit cards have received a reputation as being instruments of doom. Unfortunately, far too many people have found themselves in serious debt problems from overusing credit cards and using them in an irresponsible manner. Sometimes it seems like there’s no good solution. Experts recommend that you do not cancel your accounts because that action can hurt your credit score as well.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Using%20a%20Visa%20Card%20Responsibly.htm

Want A Sensible Alternative to Bankruptcy
If you want a sensible alternative to bankruptcy but are unsure where to turn, you may be an excellent candidate for credit counseling. As rates of consumer debt have grown over the past decade, debt counseling services have grown along with it.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Want%20A%20Sensible%20Alternative%20to%20Bankruptcy.htm

What You Need to Do If You Have Been Denied Credit
There is no doubt that being denied credit can be a traumatic experience. Credit denials can range from the merely annoying, like not getting that shiny new credit card, to the truly devastating, like being denied a mortgage on the home of your dreams. No matter what the reason for your being denied the credit you need, there are steps you should take to make sure it does not happen again.
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/What%20You%20Need%20to%20Do%20If%20You%20Have%20Been%20Denied%20Credit.htm

Why Bother Knowing Your Credit Score?
Imagine if you met the love of your life but planned your life together without any knowledge or his or her family or anything that happened before you met them. Imagine that you went to work for a company that you don’t know what they do, how they make money or how long they have been around
http://www.ivafreehelp.co.uk/debt_uk_articles/Why%20Bother%20Knowing%20Your%20Credit%20Score.htm