Government Grants For Students

With much talk about reintroducing student grants in the UK, this article discusses the pros and cons of such an action. What does it mean for the taxpayer? What does it mean for the student? Have your say...

Since student grants were abolished, there has always been talk of them being reintroduced. There are those who feel there is a growing gap between the middle classes & the working classes in regard to university education. Bringing back these grants would hopefully attract more students from working class backgrounds. Unfortunately, at the moment, for many the university fees are just unattainable, especially for those whose families have a history of debt problems. Through no fault of their own, they are being denied a good education.

There is also an argument that these grants are the best way to tackle to growing gap between the number of expanding places in universities and the number of student applicants. Even for those who can afford the fees, or at least get accepted for student loans, the mounting debt at the end of their courses is a big reason why many are choosing to go straight into employment from school or college. For those who do enrol at universities, the start to their working life usually consists of a minimum debt of £10,000. What kind of a start is that, we may ask?

Then there are those who do not want to see student grants reintroduced. Many of these are taxpayers who feel their hard-earned money shouldn’t be going to fund students’ bar-bills. Some feel that providing grants encourages those who would otherwise have not enrolled, to enjoy 4 years of partying and heavy drinking, with little regard for the degree at the end. By forcing students to pay out of their own pocket, they are bound to have more motivation and dedication.

Perhaps the answer lies in-between. The most intriguing solution I have heard is one where the grant is based on the degree being obtained. Much more refinement is needed, but we can say for certain that the current set-up just isn’t working.

What do you think? Add your comments & suggestions below

Consolidating Your Debts – For Good

Don’t get caught in the vicious circle of debt! The following advice will help you to GET out of debt and, more importantly, STAY out of debt.

The Background

Many families & individuals have a high level of debt, and for some repaying those debts can be a real struggle. It may be for a few months the debts are juggled around, cutbacks are made elsewhere & budgets are stretched in order to keep on top of repayments, but there will come a time when this leads to late or even missed payments, which in turn lead to further charges and a poor credit rating.

Consolidation Offers Hope

By consolidating your debts you can reduce the total amount you pay each month, the hassle involved in dealing with multiple creditors & even the interest rate.

Consolidating your debts simply means replacing multiple debts to multiple creditors with one new loan. This means you only have to deal with one creditor. It also means you only have one payment to make each month. Consolidation makes it a lot easier to keep on top of your debts.

Another key reason why consolidating your debts will help you get back in control is that many consolidation loans can be repaid over a longer period of time. This means that your monthly payments will also be lower. Bear in mind though, that repaying your debts over a longer period will mean you pay more in interest in the long run. This is why you should only consider consolidating if you really cannot afford to pay your debts. If you would just like some extra cash every month then going down this route will only lead to further problems as you get caught in the debt trap!

When you consolidate, you may also be able to take advantage of a better interest rate – instead of the high credit and store cards.

Consolidating – For Good!

So, now you can afford to keep on top of your debts, do not fall into the same trap as many others before you. The temptation is to think you now have more money to spend, forget about the old debt - which still exists of course, and start racking up new debt. Once you get caught in the trap of consolidating every time your debt builds up you will either end up bankrupt or at the very least be paying off these debts late into your retirement. Don’t do it! Consolidate your debt and then stick to a budget while you pay off that debt. Only then can you consider yourself debt free!

If you would like more information on debt consolidation click here. You can also benefit from general debt advice and guides on DIY debt help using these resources.

Debt Collectors - What They Can And Can't Do

Are you worried every time there is a knock at the door? Scared to open your post in case it is another warning from a debt collector? Don't be. The following article exposes the legal rights of these debt collectors (or bailiffs) so you can be rid of your fears & start getting back in control of your finances.

If you owe a creditor money & are struggling to make repayments, they may try to use a debt collector. For years there has been much confusion over what they are actually entitled to do. Can they forcibly enter your home? Can they break a window to get in? Once they are in your home what can they do?

The image painted of these debt collectors is often over-exaggerated & inaccurate; Big burly men in black jackets, making physical threats in order to gain entry to your home. Barging past as you open the door. This picture is far from the truth. As with all industries, there are regulations to be adhered to. For the minority who do not follow these guidelines, the government is currently turning it's attention to expose these law-breakers & revoke their licences.

In the majority of cases, you will experience no such thing. If the creditor you owe has any sort of reputation to preserve, you can be assured they will be using a reputable debt collection agency.

What they can and can't do.

If a debt collector visits your home, you DO NOT have to let them in. They cannot force their way into your home. This includes pushing past you as you open the door. They can however enter if the door is unlocked & can even gain entry through an open window. The advice here is to close all windows & to make sure your door is locked if you think bailiffs will be visiting your home.

Once a debt collector does gain entry to your home by peaceful means, they CAN legally force their way in on any subsequent visit.

Once in, what can they take

First and foremost, they cannot take anything that is classed as essential. These things include clothes, cookers, fridges, your bedding & most of your furniture. They also cannot take anything that you require for work, such as a computer or a phone...etc.

They can take things that are non-essential such as your T.V, games consoles & computers that are not required for work. They can also take your car.

Ultimately, you are in control. If you do not let a debt collector in your home, they cannot take any of your possessions.

If you are unsure, or require further advice, including help with getting out of debt visit the free debt advice website.

DIY Handbook to Negotiating With Creditors

Negotiating with creditors. 'Gulp!... I can't do that... I wouldn't know where to start... Even if I did, there's no way they would listen to me... I'd rather take the easy option and get a debt management company to do it for me.'

Sound familiar? Many people reason this way. Yet for those who have been willing to give it a go, many have been surprised at how much they achieved without the help of a debt management company. Lots of people have successfully negotiated reduced payments with their creditors, even getting them to freeze interest and charges on their accounts. Granted, you may not be the right kind of person for this approach. We are not recommending this to everyone - you will need a little bit of cheek and a lot of determination to succeed. But if you think you can be persistent enough, if you are confident in going it alone, the following guide will provide you with valuable advice on how to do this successfully.

If you don't think this is for you, use some of the helpful links at the end of this article for more information on debt management plans, companies and other debt solutions.

How to successfully negotiate with creditors

Step 1
Make a list of your debts

The first thing you need to do if you are considering negotiating with your creditors yourself is to make a list of your debts. You need to know exactly who you owe money to and how much each of these creditors is owed. If you go into this fully aware of your financial situation, you are much less likely to be taken advantage of.

Once you have made this list, you need to work out which ones to deal with first. These are called 'priority debts'. For example:

• Mortgage/rent
• Gas, electricity and water
• Income tax
• Council tax

These are called 'priority debts' because the consequences of not paying them are far more serious than your 'non-priority' debts (see below). By not paying your mortgage your home could be repossessed. If you do not pay your council tax, a court can send bailiffs to take your belongings to the value of the amount owed. If you do not pay your gas, electricity and water rates, these services can be disconnected. You can also be sent to prison if you do not pay your income tax.

Far less serious are 'non-priority debts'. Some examples are:

• Credit cards
• Store cards
• Personal loans

First and foremost, you cannot be sent to prison for not paying non-priority debts, though your creditors can still take action if you do not pay. They could take you to court, where you can be ordered to pay. Failing this, your creditors can then get a court order, which allows them to send bailiffs round to take your belongings away. Neither option is particularly pleasant, but by sorting out you priority debts first, at least you will still have a roof over your head, a warm home, hot/cold running water and of course, stay out of jail.

Step 2
Work out what you can afford to pay

Once you have made your list of debts, you need to work out how much money you earn and how much is left over after paying all your essentials. This can be used to pay your non-priority debts.

When working out how much you earn, try to include everything:

• Your wage
• Benefits or tax credits
• Any other form of income

Then work out your expenses:

• Mortgage or rent
• Gas, electricity and water
• Council tax
• Housekeeping (Food, cleaning materials, toiletries, pet food)
• Buildings and contents insurance
• Travel expenses (Public transport, fuel, tax, insurance, servicing and MOT)
• TV license
• Childcare
• Clothing
• Any other essentials such as medical expenses

Once you have deducted your expenses from your income, you will see how much money you have left over to pay your non-priority debts. It may also be worthwhile checking to see if you can make any savings. When you add up all your expenses, it can sometimes be surprising how much you actually spend on things like food and clothing which could be saved.

Step 3
Contact your creditors

Now you know how much you can afford to offer each creditor, it's time to get in contact with them. You will need to send them a list of all your creditors and the amounts you are offering so they can see how you have worked out your budget. Remember to keep copies of all correspondence.

Step 4
For detailed help in dealing with creditors read the following article, 'Negotiating with Creditors'.

If you would like to know how to work out what to offer creditors, read the following article, 'Debt Management DIY' which contains systems used by the courts to determine fair amounts to offer each creditor.

The 'Negotiating With Creditors - DIY Handbook' has been produced on behalf of Debt Advice 4 Free.

Consolidating Your Debts – For Good

Don’t get caught in the vicious circle of debt! The following advice will help you to GET out of debt and, more importantly, STAY out of debt.

The Background

Many families & individuals have a high level of debt, and for some repaying those debts can be a real struggle. It may be for a few months the debts are juggled around, cutbacks are made elsewhere & budgets are stretched in order to keep on top of repayments, but there will come a time when this leads to late or even missed payments, which in turn lead to further charges and a poor credit rating.

Consolidation Offers Hope

By consolidating your debts you can reduce the total amount you pay each month, the hassle involved in dealing with multiple creditors & even the interest rate.

Consolidating your debts simply means replacing multiple debts to multiple creditors with one new loan. This means you only have to deal with one creditor. It also means you only have one payment to make each month. Consolidation makes it a lot easier to keep on top of your debts.

Another key reason why consolidating your debts will help you get back in control is that many consolidation loans can be repaid over a longer period of time. This means that your monthly payments will also be lower. Bear in mind though, that repaying your debts over a longer period will mean you pay more in interest in the long run. This is why you should only consider consolidating if you really cannot afford to pay your debts. If you would just like some extra cash every month then going down this route will only lead to further problems as you get caught in the debt trap!

When you consolidate, you may also be able to take advantage of a better interest rate – instead of the high credit and store cards.

Consolidating – For Good!

So, now you can afford to keep on top of your debts, do not fall into the same trap as many others before you. The temptation is to think you now have more money to spend, forget about the old debt - which still exists of course, and start racking up new debt. Once you get caught in the trap of consolidating every time your debt builds up you will either end up bankrupt or at the very least be paying off these debts late into your retirement. Don’t do it! Consolidate your debt and then stick to a budget while you pay off that debt. Only then can you consider yourself debt free!

If you would like more information on debt consolidation click here. You can also benefit from general debt advice and guides on DIY debt help using these resources.

Negotiating With Creditors – 5 Top Tips

You could well be surprised at how much you can actually achieve without seeking the help of a debt management company. Many people have negotiated reduced payments with their creditors, sometimes even getting them to freeze interest and charges on their debts. If you have decided to go it alone, the following article will provide you with valuable advice on how to do this successfully.

When negotiating with creditors, there are a few key points to keep in mind. Follow the top 5 tips below for a better chance of negotiating successfully.

5 top tips for negotiating with creditors

1. Be polite. If you are respectful, calm and show a willingness to work with your creditors, your negotiations will be much more successful. It is good to remember that your creditors do not HAVE to accept your offer, they are under no obligation, so shouting the odds and being confrontational will get you nowhere.

2. Be honest. Explain your financial situation fully. Creditors are real people and they understand that everybody’s circumstances can change at any time for various reasons. Be aware though, that your creditors will ask questions and may require proof of your change of circumstances. If you have been ill - a doctors note, if you have been made unemployed or had reduction in income - wage slips…etc. If you are honest from the outset, there is no chance of your story coming unstuck and your negotiations stalling.

3. Do not let your creditors persuade you to offer more. Before you even contact them decide exactly what you can afford and stick to it, even if they are being difficult. If you agree to pay more than you can afford, you will only run into more problems in the future when you cannot keep up the repayments.

4. Importantly, you must ask your creditors to freeze the interest on your debts. Unless they do, your debt will carry on growing, meaning you will be paying them for longer and your debt will be harder to clear. Do not presume they will do this automatically.

5. Be vigilant. Sometimes you will need to contact your creditors several times before they agree to your offer. If, after numerous attempts, you cannot get them to agree, or you just don’t feel confident about negotiating with them, you can contact a debt management company who specialise in negotiating with creditors.

For more information on negotiating with creditors, debt management companies and other helpful diy debt management articles visit the free debt advice website.

Debt Solution Companies Under the Microscope

Debt solution companies have been under the microscope recently, ever-more as debt in the UK continues to grow. As consumers, we should welcome such interest in these companies as, after all, they are looking after our money. We want our questions answered - such as; How do we know they are reputable? How many clients do they have? How long have they been established? What solutions do they offer? As the governing bodies & independant consumer watchdog's take interest, our questions will be answered.

The UK has serious debt problems. Spending is out of control and many people don't know what to do or where to turn when it comes to sorting out their debt problems. The market for these debt solution companies is only getting bigger by the day.

Many critics of these debt solution companies believe some are constantly trying to push customers towards agreements that will only benefit them, with little regard for the customers actual needs. You only have to look at the number of people applying for IVAs each year to see this is not far from the truth. IVAs can provide them with massive sums of money in return for setting up the agreement.

On the other hand, an IVA can be the best, if not only solution for some individuals, writing off a large amount of their debt, and providing them with some financial stability.

The debt companies that offer these solutions argue that loan, mortgage and credit providers should have stricter lending conditions and it is they who are to blame for mounting debts in the UK.

The best advice for anyone whose debts are out of control is to first understand your own finances. That way, if you have to approach a debt solution company, you'll know exactly where you stand with your personal debt. If you go in not knowing the facts, then you're much more likely to be taken advantage of. It's really just common sense.

So, though many people find their cheesy television adverts annoying, the debt solution companies are here to stay. It is our responsibility to research each one before signing on the dotted line.

You can find impartial reviews on many debt solution companies here.

Welcome to the Debt Advice 4 Free Blog

At Debt Advice 4 Free, we like to keep on top of debt industry news. We also like to share this news with our users by means of regular articles. Unfortunately, this was starting to cause a problem, as categorizing & archiving all these articles in a user-friendly way was no simple task. Then we had an idea!

This blog is a medium to display these articles, allowing you to keep up to date with all the latest debt news, and even to add your own comments. We hope this will create an even better experience.

Please visit again soon as we hope to add articles daily.