Getting into debt is easy. It’s so easy that our entire society is littered with the proverbial logs inviting you to sit. Watch TV and you are bombarded with images of the ‘proper’ lifestyle that simply doesn’t exist. But as television is a mild hypnosis millions easily believe that they won’t be happy until they have it all.

Let’s face it, holidays, good food, nice clothes, a great car, a big house, are all fantastic. They make us feel good about ourselves. At least for a few minutes, then the shine wears off and we wonder if we can really afford them; which, of course, most of us can’t.

We’re looking here at normal every-day debt. We’re not talking about failed businesses or addictive spending behaviour. They have their own place in the debt boiling pot. What we’re looking at here is how does somebody get into debt and what can they do to get out of it?

Among the sharks

Credit cards are right up there at the top of the list as an easy way to run up unmanageable debt. Maybe you’ve got too many cards to handle, you forget how much you’ve spent on the cards, it’s easy to do from month to month with just one card. It must be a nightmare if you’ve got several!

And then you start to miss payments on those cards. That memory of yours isn’t what it was and you have no filing system to remind you when to pay and so those huge charges appear on your already unmanageable balances and that APR interest soon mounts up. How much do they want you to repay every month?! Where are you going to find that kind of money?!

Pay the minimum that’s the answer you decide. But pay the minimum and you’re not facing up to the facts of how long it’s going to take to pay it all back. At those rates you’ll be dead and buried before your credit card is paid off.

So what’s the answer?

First thing – the golden rule: recognise the facts - you are not coping. Even go so far as to say out loud, “I am in debt and I need to do something about it”. And then actually do something about it!

Make a list

List honestly all your outgoings and all you income. If necessary keep a small pad with you where ever you go and write down all the small amounts you spend each week. You will be shocked where you money goes!

Next, work out exactly how much you owe to which companies. (We will assume you don’t owe individuals). Write this down so you can see the figures.

Then look at your income and work out how much you can set aside to pay all of these debtors. You need to be realistic and stay within your income. Ignore how much the companies are asking you to pay on the statements: that is something you deal with next.

Contact each of the credit card companies and tell them you have a problem. Work out with them how much you can afford to pay them back on a monthly basis. You may be surprised how co-operative they are on this. You will have to be strong – they will start by asking you for more than you are willing, or indeed able, to pay them.

Be disciplined

DO NOT borrow any more money. If you find you are still going into debt be honest with yourself STOP SPENDING on anything that is not really, really necessary. Your priorities should be your mortgage or rent payments, your utility bills, and food. In that order. This is how important this is. If necessary, change the way you eat – ready meals such as pizzas and especially takeaways are expensive!

Increase your income

For some this won’t be possible, but if you can, try getting an additional part time evening job. Even ‘pin’ money can be really useful when you are trying to get the debt beast under control. Try using cash everywhere you go – only get out a set amount each week or month that is within you budget and only spend what you have got in your pocket. If you haven’t got the cash you can’t have it. Be disciplined with yourself.

Help is always at hand

You can get help and advice from institutions that won’t charge you . Try contacting the Consumer Credit Counselling Service, The National Debtline, Payplan, Citizens Advice or even The Samaritans. They will help show you the route out of your debt and with them at your side at least you won’t feel alone.

A word of warning: the Consumer Credit Counselling Service states that if your debt repayments take more than 20% of your net (after tax) incomethen you could be in danger of getting into debt and you should take action to either increase you monthly income or reduce your outgoings