Smart ways to stay out of the debt trap

IT was simple at the time. Just fill out a form and hey presto, there's a whacking great big loan. So simple, in fact, you do it again and again and before you know it, scores of final demand bills are pouring through the letterbox and you can't see a way out.

Sound familiar? Well never fear, help is at hand.

The Citizen's Advice Bureau (CAB), at Worcester's Hop Market, has staff specifically trained to help people with debt problems.

Tony Chadd, a money advice case worker, is a friendly face offering a way out of debt nightmares.

"The people I see mostly have rent and council tax arrears, credit cards and store card debts," he said. "Normally I find they've been ignoring final demand letters. I even get clients who don't even open them because they're that scared.

"They just stick their heads in the sand trying to pretend it's not happening.

"Offers of loans are everywhere you turn, there's literally hundreds of adverts for credit on television," he said.

"And debt is undiscriminating, it's not just people falling behind with rent, people from all walks of life can get into trouble financially.

Tony helps by finding the root cause of the problem, then goes through clients' finances to work out the best way to pay off debts, prioritising what needs paying the quickest and contacting credit companies to explain the situation.

"I'd urge people to come and see us if they're having problems," he said.

"Often people are so relieved just to talk about it. They may feel they're too embarrassed to tell relatives or friends, or don't want to worry them. We're here to help."

l CAB runs drop-in sessions with Tony on Monday's to Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 10am to 4pm.

SINGLE mum-of-two Rachel Robinson has discovered a host of ways to save money and avoid getting into debt.

The 36-year-old, who works for the Worcester News, relies on her sole wage and a small amount of childminding help to raise her two children, Scott, aged 17, and six-year-old Leoni.

"Every month is really hard," she said. "But I've managed to buy my own house, which is quite an achievement when you're on your own and have two kids. I didn't inherit the house from a marriage."

Rachel, who works at the Worcester News, said she has learnt to budget the hard way, after once 'stupidly messing up', and now she watches every penny.

"I have all my direct debits and bills going out between the 15th and 20th of every month, then I know exactly what I have left and how long it has to stretch for," she said.

And she's found ways of saving money that many may not think of.

"I'm lucky in that I've got a circle of friends," she said. "Some have children, so I swap Leoni and Scott's old clothes with theirs.

"Some of my friends are single professional women with well-paid jobs and they'll buy an expensive dress, wear it once and then give it to me.

"I also pick up loads of great bargains by shopping around or going to charity shops. You don't have to spend a fortune to look respectable."

However, having a teenage son who is into designer labels could cause a bit of a problem.

"I'm really proud of him. He goes to college and has a part-time job so buys a lot of clothes for himself," said Rachel, of Rainbow Hill, Worcester.

"My only extravagance is my dishwasher," she confessed. "Most women have a husband to do their washing up. I got a dishwasher instead.

''They don't answer back or expect you to wash their socks!"

RACHEL'S TOP TIPS

l Hunt for bargains - many designer outfits can be unearthed in charity shops

l Use reward cards at shops, save up the points and spend them at Christmas

l Roll up your sleeves and do your own DIY

l Buy meat in bulk from butchers and freeze it

l Go to supermarkets like Lidl, Asda and Morrisons for cheaper products

l Have a landline that only allows you to receive incoming calls

l Take advantage of special offers companies run where you pay gas and electric by direct debit.

l Grow your own fruit and vegetables - it's fun for the kids too.

l Take the children camping rather than expensive holidays overseas.

l When you shop for food, don't go on an empty stomach when you'll be tempted to buy out the shop.

l Shop with a list, and don't stray from it.

Top tips for your home

Television lifestyle guru Dawna Walter has joined forces with the publishers of Thomson Local directory to provide tips for people to make the most of their home.

As well as listing those companies in your area that you'll need for home improvements, the directory has a lifestyle and community section called Localplus, which is packed with local information and contact points for local services. All this is also available online at www.thomsonlocal.com

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The average person in the UK watches 18 hours of TV each week, putting us ahead of France, Spain, Germany and Italy.

By contrast Britons spend just 5.3 hours per week reading which is less than our European counterparts, according to the survey by research group NOP World.

No sweat

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