1. Matter of life and debt

2. The scale of the problem Do the maths but dont panic Put an escape plan in place Three action steps to better finances Consider joining a credit union Increase income Matter of life and debt - sections

3. The scale of the problem 18 per cent of adults in Britain have £10,000 or more of unsecured debt, equivalent to 8.2 million adults (Credit Action)

4. The scale of the problem 18 per cent of adults in Britain have £10,000 or more of unsecured debt, equivalent to 8.2 million adults (Credit Action) Two million British consumer cant actually quantify how much debt theyre in (Unbiased.co.uk)

5. Do the maths but dont panic

6. Add up all the amounts owed, including credit card bills, mortgage or rent arrears, short term loans, etc

7. Do the maths but dont panic Add up all the amounts owed, including credit card bills, mortgage or rent arrears, short term loans, etc Citizens advice can help with the numbers – www.adviceguide.org.ukwww.adviceguide.org.uk

8. Put an escape plan in place

9. Set priorities as to how cards and loans will be repaid, starting with credit cards in order of APR

10. Put an escape plan in place Set priorities as to how cards and loans will be repaid, starting with credit cards in order of APR May be necessary to renegotiate payment terms – advice at www.creditaction.org.ukwww.creditaction.org.uk

11. Put an escape plan in place Set priorities as to how cards and loans will be repaid, starting with credit cards in order of APR May be necessary to renegotiate payment terms – advice at www.creditaction.org.ukwww.creditaction.org.uk Condolidate debt – without taking out a higher loan than necessary

12. Three action steps to better finances

13. Cut spending focusing on essential items to formulate a household budget Three action steps to better finances

14. Cut spending focusing on essential items to formulate a household budget Understand interest free credit – it often just delays the process of sinking into debt Three action steps to better finances

15. Cut spending focusing on essential items to formulate a household budget Understand interest free credit – it often just delays the process of sinking into debt Ask whats in it for them? – as financial institutions are there to make money Three action steps to better finances

16. Consider joining a credit union

17. Run by leaders in the community and monitored by a government body Consider joining a credit union

18. Run by leaders in the community and monitored by a government body Membership only costs a few pounds, and accounts can be set up with minimal deposit Consider joining a credit union

19. Run by leaders in the community and monitored by a government body Membership only costs a few pounds, and accounts can be set up with minimal deposit Safe borrowing - linked to level of savings deposited with credit union Consider joining a credit union

20. Increase income

21. Only way to pay for higher levels of debt is to increase income Increase income

22. Only way to pay for higher levels of debt is to increase income However – think, there may be more to life than increasing lifestyle costs and amount consumed Increase income

23. More information ABCUL – Promoting Quality Credit Unions www.abcul.coop/page/index.cfm www.abcul.coop/page/index.cfm Citizens Advice www.adviceguide.org.uk www.adviceguide.org.uk Consumer Credit Counselling Service www.cccs.co.uk www.cccs.co.uk Credit Action www.creditaction.org.uk www.creditaction.org.uk Money Basics www.moneybasics.co.uk www.moneybasics.co.uk Compiled by the Church of England Photos supplied by www.freedigitalphotos.netwww.freedigitalphotos.net