If you can no longer afford your monthly repayments to your unsecured lenders as originally agreed, you should find a debt solution that could get you back on top of your debts as soon as you can.
A debt management plan may be one such solution. Entering into debt management could allow you to pay back your debts at a realistic rate – and could give you an affordable path out of debt.
What is a debt management plan?
A debt management plan is an informal agreement between you and your unsecured lenders in which you, or a professional debt management company, ask them to accept lower monthly payments that you’re confident you can afford.
Therefore, agreeing a debt management plan could make life a lot easier by giving you a new repayment plan tailored to your current circumstances. Furthermore, you could regain control of your unsecured debts without the need for a loan.
How does a debt management plan work?
Basically, if you can no longer afford your monthly repayments towards your unsecured debts, you could ask your lenders to accept lower payments. If your lenders agree, you could make a reduced monthly payment – to just one company, who will then distribute it amongst your lenders as agreed.
If your lenders accept your plan, they may also agree to freeze/reduce interest and waive other charges on your debts, which means they won’t continue to grow as you’re repaying them.
How could a debt management plan affect me?
On the one hand, a debt management plan could offer a realistic, clear way out of debt with monthly payments tailored specifically to you.
But on the other hand, a debt management plan will show up on your credit history for six years, which can affect your ability to get credit for six years – so it’s important to talk through your options with a professional debt adviser before making a decision.
Plus, if your lenders don’t agree to freeze interest, making smaller payments over a longer period can cost you more in the long run – and you’ll have to wait longer for the day you’ll be debt-free.