Nothing everyone is educated about potential financial pitfalls and debt can pile up quicker than most people realise. Careful analysis and a little research suggest it is possible to get out of the mess. It won’t be immediate but it is possible to continue living your life without having to dread the constant reminders arriving in the post.

There is help available to most people who are alarmed to discover that they do not know how to handle the amounts of debt they have built up over the weeks, months, and years. Not everyone manages to get to grips with credit card debt in just one month. Some people need a couple of months or longer as it requires a disciplined approach. Let’s look at a few reasons why someone may need debt help.

Unemployment. This is perhaps the single biggest reason why someone’s finances takes a journey – sometimes long, sometimes short – into the murky waters of debt and overspending. This has become even more commonplace since the recession when many companies have had to let go of thousands of workers. The people who lost their income often had little savings, which meant that they soon struggled to pay the basics – food, rent or mortgage, and travelling expenses.

This is put into perspective via a 2008 survey suggesting that the basic cost of living is £13,400 a year for a single person in Britain.

Existing debt problems. The majority of people with debt find it difficult to manage their finances. This is often because they have multiple creditors who demand multiple payments from them, often at different times of the month. Unsurprisingly, many people struggle to keep track of what they owe and the interest on the debt continues to mount. Companies such as Debt Solver succeed in helping those in financial difficulties because they understand how frustrating the process can be and have long term solutions in place.

Changing Life Circumstances. Most often this means their circumstances have changed for the worse due to an unforeseen event. There are numerous other reasons – besides unemployment – why someone needs debt help due to changing circumstances. Falling ill is one such reason, as is divorce. Any of these reasons could mean that the person has a smaller amount of disposable income, whether it is for a few weeks or a few months. This often means that they can benefit from a discussion about their finances with someone who is in a position to help them.

There seems to be some kind of unspoken connection between fitness and finance in the UK. On one hand, the stress of debt can manifest itself physically and comfort eating can often be a coping mechanism for financial worries. On the other hand, our desire to drop a few pounds can lead us to spend far too many. So, the stress of debt can have you piling on the pounds and hitting the gym can have you spending them. If your debts are building up, talk to an advisor at Debtsolver rather than turning to the biscuit box.

Regardless of what the gym membership adverts would have you believe, getting in shape needn’t actually cost anything. It’s great for your mental as well as physical health. The stigma of bad debt can have a profound effect on your self esteem and a few sit-ups, press-ups and squats can really make you feel better. Exercising releases endorphins, the naturally occurring chemical that makes us feel good. Much like dealing with debt though, taking the first step towards a happier, healthier routine can be difficult.

The idea of pounding the pavement might not be appealing but it’s a great way to get fit and it doesn’t cost anything. Of course, if running really isn’t your thing, you could always try cycling. Don’t let the thought of buying a bike put you off; it can be done cheaply and easily through the Government’s Cycle to Work scheme. This programme will allow you to pay off your brand new bike from your pre-tax salary. You just have to use it for your commute, which means that you’ll be getting in shape wile you cut out your travel costs.

Although we would recommend that you take full advantage of any free ways of getting fit first, you may feel that a gym membership is an affordable addition to your monthly budget. Any such expenditure should be carefully planned and you should only enter into it if it’s reasonable. If you can afford it and you’re sure you’ll make the most of a gym membership, shop around first. Your local council will often offer excellent facilities at a fraction of health club rates.

If the facilities are poor and you can find a good deal, consider joining a private gym. As you should with any contract, be sure to read the small print thoroughly before you sign up to a gym membership. You should have shopped around and examined all of the facilities at your disposal. Once you’ve found the gym you like, at a rate you like, be sure to get some free tours and make them woo you. After all, they’re trying to sell you a membership so make them work for it. If that means haggling for a reduced joining fee or even waiving the joining fee, then it’s worthwhile.

Consider how it will be to live with the membership too. You may be in awe of the fabulous facilities but if the gym’s not convenient enough, you’ll not go as often as you want, or as often as you’re paying for. If you don’t go, you’ll need to know if there’s a cancellation fee and before you sign up, find out if there’s a minimum contract term.

It’s always a good idea to stay fit and healthy but you should always look to shed those extra pounds while spending as few as possible.

As we know, a sudden change in your financial situation is one of the most common causes of debt problems. As a result of the credit crunch and recession, unemployment figures have risen and losing your job without warning can have a severe impact on your circumstances. If you are already overstretching your budget, losing your source of income can bring on bad debt very quickly.

Unemployment isn’t the only thing that can suddenly change your financial circumstances. When it comes to putting increased strain on your budget, nothing really compares to having a baby. The little bundle of joy will, of course, cost you money. It’s not just the added expense though; raising a child will naturally reduce the time you have to work, impacting on your earning power. With the ever increasing cost of child care, rushing back to work may not always make financial sense. Essentially, as with any other financial difficulty of debt solution, it depends on your situation.

Here are some tips from the Debtsolver team that will help you with your baby budget.

As ever, when it comes to being thrifty your two best friends are reuse and recycle. So, if any of your friends have baby stuff to pass on, take advantage. Things like baby monitors, cots, baskets, slings, car seats and any good-quality, hand-me-down baby clothes are great. Similarly, if your friends have skills that can you can take advantage of. After all, what’re friends for? Also, when it comes to child care, how about granny and granddad?

If you’re at home, use the time in to have a bit of a clear out and take what you can to the car boot sale. Have a regular clear-out and take any unwanted stuff to a car-boot sale. Complete online surveys that offer incentives like vouchers, discounts and chances to win prizes. Think of as many other ways that you can earn around your baby’s schedule too. How are your arts and crafts? Can you bake or knit? Are you good with a computer? Basically, think of the ways you can use your skills to bring in a bit of extra cash.

Cut down on your wastage by planning your weekly shop and cooking with fresh, local produce. You could even plant your own vegetables in the garden. Don’t be afraid to stretch out any leftovers the next day. Making soup can be a great way to use up any excess veg too.

This all sounds great for everyday but what about marking special occasions on a tight baby budget? Well, there are just so many occasions in your baby’s first few years, all of which you’ll want to mark with something special, that it can be a real concern financially. Putting these things on your credit card can be tempting but it’s just a way to build up debt that the whole family will feel the effect of in the future. To keep costs down; throw a garden party if the weather’s nice, encourage friends and family to bring some food for a picnic and play some party games.

Above all else, dealing with your debt while bringing up baby relies on how well you manage your money. Luckily, there’s support out there to help you manage your debt while you’re on a baby budget.

Your wedding day will be one of the most expensive days of your life. The average cost of a wedding in the UK is £20,000 but for what could well be the happiest and most memorable day of your life, who’s counting?

Of course, you don’t want to be preoccupied with cost cutting measures on such a wonderful occasion but on the other hand, neither do you want your honeymoon to be tainted with debt stress. Also, do you want to start your life together with the weight of a mounting debt? Instead of dashing the blushing bride’s dreams of a fairytale wedding with crippling frugality, simply making a few savvy selections at the planning stage can bring down your wedding budget without blowing the big day.

Debtsolver understand the effect that debt related stress can have on your relationships. Like all debt problems, you can minimise the stress by tackling any potential problems early. So, if you foresee difficulties in being able to afford the wedding you’ve always wanted, remain focussed on what’s important, plan the day carefully and draw up a reasonable budget. The more detailed your budget, the easier you’ll find it to manage your spending. To help with that, here are 5 areas that could potentially save you money on your big day.

The Invitations

When it comes to wedding invitations, drawing on the talents of your friends or relatives can be a charmingly personal way to save some money. If you know someone artistic, they will no doubt be touched by the thought and relish the opportunity to design your invitations.

The Venue

Of course, the venue will mean different things to different people. For many, a specific venue will have been an integral part of their dream wedding for a long time. If this is the case, it can be difficult to make a substantial saving in this area. If it hasn’t though, a village hall or even borrowing a big garden can be beautiful when they’re properly decorated. If you’ve got your eye on the ideal venue, consider a date out of season or even have the ceremony during the week, rather than at the weekend. Be prepared to haggle too; the best deals are worth working for.

The Flowers

If you discuss your needs with your florist, draw on their expertise and take their advice on seasonal options, you could make substantial savings. Like any other service, it’s important that you shop around and see who might be willing to do you a good deal. It could even be one of the areas that you can entrust to a talented amateur, like a friend or relative. When it comes to choosing the flowers, think seasonal but also think domestic.

The Dress

As you’re only going to be wearing it once, the dress can seem a hugely expensive outgoing. If you’re prepared to wear a second hand gown, there are some fabulous examples to be picked up quite cheap. Of course, this won’t be for everyone so you should also look down the high street as a great many of our old favourites have a bridal range that looks great without breaking the bank.

The Cake

The only real concerns with your wedding cake are that it photographs well and stretch far enough to give everyone a small piece. So, once again it might be time to draw on the talents of one of your guests. If you know someone who’s a keen baker, you should ask them to make you a cake rather than get you a gift. Otherwise, by plain iced cakes, tier them up and decorate them with fresh flowers.

Cutting your carbon emissions and your fuel bills at the same time? Where’s the catch?! Well, actually, there isn’t one. This is one of those things where a few small sacrifices can save you money and save the planet, all at once. If you’re trying to tackle a mounting debt problem, you might feel that you have to give up on the organics and fair-trade produce that comes at a premium. However, you can still do your bit for the environment while making a substantial saving in terms of your outgoings.

Accustomed to averting individual’s debt disasters, Debtsolver are keen to offer pointers on how you can save money on your fuel bills. Cutting down on your fuel usage is also great for the environment, so if you needed any additional incentive to go green, how about extra cash to put towards your debt repayments?

1. Growing your own can be a gateway to the good life. Even if it’s just a window box or a few potatoes, you could be save some money and cut down on the packaging and other little extras that come when you buy food at the supermarket.
2. Some surveys have suggested that half of your carbon footprint can be the result of a single long-haul flight. So, holidaying at home could cut your carbon emissions almost in half and no-doubt, save you a few quid at the same time.
3. Cut down on the amount of household waste that you’re producing by recycling as much as you can. Composting any food waste will help this too, as well as helping the garden. You never know, thinking economically could actually give you green fingers.
4. The first fuel bill that springs to mind will no doubt be the one you’re handed after filling up at the pumps. Cut down on the cost of petrol and your carbon footprint by walking, cycling or using public transport.
5. When it comes to fuel for heating your home, proper insulation will save you a substantial amount on your fuel bill.
6. Taking this to the next level, you might want to consider getting a quote from a green electricity provider. You’ll be surprised at how cheap you can make the switch and if you’re looking to save some money, it always pays to shop around.
7. There’s water to consider too. Taking showers rather than baths and putting a brick in your cistern are great, easy ways to use less water.
8. Reuse and recycle whenever you can. If you need to get rid of something, there are lots of websites that allow you to give things, get things and swap things. You never know what you might find for free.
9. Like we said, shopping for organic groceries in the supermarket can be expensive but farm shops and food boxes from local growers can give you the freshest of local produce for cheaper than you might think.
10. When it comes to reducing your carbon footprint, it’s quite often necessary to make an initial outlay in order to reap long-term benefits. Your financial situation, overall level of debt and monthly income will all be factors in deciding whether this kind of expense is a good idea. Get advice to help you work out whether an eco-investment will suit you.