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Has your purse taken a pounding over the last couple of weeks? Here's our selection of websites to lend an online hand:
cccs.co.uk
The free "debt remedy" at the Consumer Credit Counselling Service is a top-notch dose of online medicine for anyone whose finances are groaning under the weight of debts. Click on the "Complete your debt remedy" icon on the left-hand side of the website's main page and, after preliminary questions about the health of your finances and receiving a reference number, you'll be whisked through a range of questions that probe every aspect of your debts, income, spending and personal financial commitments. It takes roughly 20 minutes to fill in and results in a tailored guide to help dig yourself out of debt. For those who prefer to speak to a person, there's always the free helpline on 0800 138 1111.
moneymadeclear.fsa.gov.uk/tools/
You may well be wringing hands about loans, credit cards, mortgage repayments or bills but your anguish might be unnecessary: take the "debt test" on the Financial Services Authority's self-help website and you'll be able to determine whether your money needs a proper MoT or just a mild makeover. Its test is full of tips and, while it might sound light-hearted, its questions will help you to tackle your debts if you are in trouble. Of particular use, the test will show how you are likely to appear as a customer to a credit rating agency.
adviceguide.org.uk
The Citizen's Advice Bureau's copious pages of debt help cover almost every question you could possibly imagine. Click onto its "debt help" icon and you can pick from a four-step debt detox package; tips on how to offer to slash your debts by negotiating with your lenders; whether consolidating all your debts into one is worthwhile or carries a financial penalty; the dangers of bankruptcy, or the impact of heavy debts on credit records. Even better, it outlines plenty of sample scenarios and is full-to-bursting with useful telephone numbers and addresses for local offices.
direct.gov.uk
Who'd have thought the government proffered decent debt advice? Its "official website for citizens" sports a user-friendly section on managing debt and even includes an online budget planner.
unbiased.co.uk/gu/thrifty-calculator/
Use our cunning calculator to see how much money you could save every day.
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