At MRA Debt Help, we seem to harp on about how it is not just the lower classes that are in debt, and try to remove the stigma of debt from the higher end of the income scale.  This latest story could help those middle class consumers, struggling under their debt burdens to seek advice and admit that they need help.

Neil Morrisey, star of 'Men Behaving Badly' has entered into an IVA following the collapse of a property investment scheme that he had invested in.  The scheme had placed money into a number of pubs and hotels across the country.

Morrisey decided not to go bankrupt and entered into the IVA stating "I feel morally obliged.  Afterwards I'll feel better about myself.  Now I'm working very, very hard every second out there to earn another penny."

The actor lost approximately £2.5 million in the scheme. 

Struggling with debts, paying them off with a debt management plan or IVA?  If so, then this doesnt mean that you have to sacrifice flavour or quality of your food!

Lidl and Aldi have had a huge amount of press recently, as they take on the big four supermarkets with their non-branded food items.  They have made a huge difference in changing peoples perception of unbranded food, proving that Kellogs, McVities and the like are not the only ones who can make decent tasting food!

If you must have your branded items, then check out www.mysupermarket.com , where you can compare the cost of your trolley at all the big four supermarkets, as well as Ocado!

Feeling brave?  www.approvedfoods.co.uk specialise in providing food which is past its sell by date, yet still edible. With ridiculous savings to be made, it can be worth it as all the foods are stringently checked.

My personal favourite tip?  Local produce.  Whether you have enough room to grow your own, or just head to your local greengrocer, butcher and fishmonger!

If you have any other tips or favourite websites then feel free to add them in the comments below!

For more budgeting advice call MRA Debt Help on 01424 777156

The Consumer Credit Counselling Service has said this week that it has no immediate solution for nearly a third of the consumers who contact it.

These consumers are the unlucky group who neither have enough income for a debt management plan or IVA, are unble to go bankrupt or do not qualify for a debt relief order.

They now make up 30% of calls to the CCCS, up from 4% in 2008.  The CCCS are reduced to offering advice and help in encouraging the debt management clients to claim all the benefits that they are entitled to, rent out their spare rooms or getting a second job.

The CCCS have reported a 12% reduction in the average income of couples contacting it for debt advice

Mortgage broker John Charcol has released figures this week highlighting the plight of millions of homeowners in the UK.  That's a third of all mortgagees unable to move or sell their home. 

There are several factors that have created this problem - not least the current situation regarding negative equity.  Around 2 million households in the UK have less than 10% equity in their property, and a large proportion of those have no equity at all.  An extra 500,000 have between 10 and 15% equity.

This lack of equity has meant that households cannot move, as they have no equity to use as a deposit on their new home.  With lenders declinig high loan to value mortgages, good deposits have never been more important.

Lenders tightening their belt has also caused problems for homeowners.  Poor credit ratings mean that to move they would have to join the 1 million households already on subprime or self certified mortgages. 

These factors affect homeowners the same way that they affect those on debt management plans, and can potentially be helped with good debt advice.

I probably bore you to tears with my harping on about how debt management is built on proper budgeting, and creating a financial statement.  Well - actually you're reading this debt management blog now, so perhaps i've not bored you too much yet!  A couple from Lancashire got married recently, enforcing how important 'thriftyness' can be in modern society

Ben Alty and Karolina Nowakowska spent £1000 on their white wedding, at a time when people can run up thousands in debts to pay for their dream day.  The brides dress cost £30 from the local charity shop, and the groom paid £75 for a 5 piece cream suit, which was hand made to his measurements in Hong Kong. 

The rings were hand me downs from the grooms grandparents, and friends and family clubbed together to run the reception in a converted garage with an £80 marquee.  The most expensive part of the wedding was the drinks bill - £250 including champagne, bought during supermarket 2 for 1 promotions. 

It serves as a lesson to us all, that with a little bit of debt management advice, you really can achieve things you didn't think possible.  For budgeting advice call MRA Debt Help on 01424 777156 to speak to one of our debt counsellors.

This may be a <few> months behind schedule (we've been busy bunnies at MRA Debt Help), but it is finally time to give a little review of David Gaffney's 'Never Never'.  After the book arrived in December last year, I finally got round to reading it in July!

Never Never is a fast paced novel, combining a portrayal of the current financial climate, including some good debt management advice regarding administration orders (and some not so good ways of dealing with debt collectors!!!)

Eric's battle to keep his own debts at bay - and hidden from his partner land him in a thrilling storyline involving loan sharks, kidnapping and the hero's childhood punk sweetheart. 

Those of us who have had dealings with debt collection agencies and the like will associate with some of the tactics used, and the letters that Eric the debt counsellor recieves.  The use of 3 different formats for the three different stories until they intertwine is a nice touch that makes the book an enjoyable read.

You dont have to have been a debt counsellor, or in need of debt advice to enjoy the book, much like you needn't have been in the SAS to read a Chris Ryan novel, but Gaffney manages to create an affinity with readers who have suffered from debt problems and may have dealt with loan sharks and collection agencies in the past.

We've had lots of great feedback for our debt management blog, and wanted to point you in the direction of more great reading material.  Stick with us for more debt solutions and debt advice in upcoming blogs, as well as checking out these! -

Argo-IBC.com - Have you ever wondered how people get their websites to appear in Google?  Argo Internet Business Consultants use internet marketing, search engine optimisation and social media to help their clients do just that.  Their blog at http://www.argo-ibc.com/blog is a veritable feast of SEO information, and a bit of fun too!

Argo Business Consultants. - Our newest blog, http://ww.argobusinessblog.co.uk , has been set up to provide news and advice for anyone who already runs their own business or is looking to do so.  With a free Business Health Check and some great business advice, be sure to check out Argo Business Consultants

Britons are disregarding the normal stigma attached to debt problems and asking for help from their friends and family.  Historically us Brits have been particularly guarded about our debt worries, keeping them close to our chest and bottling them up. 

New research from Equifax however, has shown an increase in the numbers of Britons asking for help from their parents or other relatives.  Nearly a third of people surveyed had done this for help with repayments on loans and credit cards.

Over a half of all respondents also said that they had talked to relatives about their debt problems, and financial situation. Also 45% said that the recession had affected their income.

Equifax are one of the UK's largest credit reference agencies. For debt help and advice, call MRA Debt Help on 01424 777156 to speak to one of our debt counsellors.

Recent figures from comparison site money supermarket.com have proved to be encouraging for debt management clients and other consumers.

27% of people surveyed have increased their personal debt in the last 12 months, compared to 40% who say that their debt has decreased.  16% of those who particiapted in the moneysupermarket survey said that they were 'in a lot less debt now compared to one year ago'.

If you are one of those who feel that your debt has increased over the past year, then MRA Debt Help may be able to offer you free debt advice and aid you to become one of the lucky people reducing their debts this year!

Call one of our debt counsellors on 01424 777156

Creditactions latest debt management statistics are now available on their website. The statistics don't show any surprising or unexpected figures, but make an interesting read for anyone considering various debt solutions such as debt management.

Some of the highlights from this months statistics are -

The total UK personal debt has slowed down.  The total at the end of June 2009 was £1458 Billion.  this shows a year on year increase of approx £14.35 Billion, down from a £116 Billion increase in January 2008.

During July 2009, Britains personal debt increased by £1 million every 108 minutes.  This is a remarkable drop from January 2008, where personal debt increased by £1 million every 5.3 minute

Total lending grew by £0.4 billion in June; secured lending grew by £0.3bn in the month; consumer credit lending grew by £0.1bn (total lending in January 2008 grew by £8.4bn)

3300 people were made redundant every day in the 3 months up to May 2009.

The average owed by every UK adult is currently £30460.  this is 133% of average earnings.

The average UK household pays £2650 interest on their debts every year.

For free debt help and advice, call MRA debt help to speak to one of our debt counsellors