Personal Debt Sidebar

Mortgage pressures push financial complaints up.

Rising financial pressure faced by consumers has pushed the number of complaints against financial services to 7,000 in 2011.

Options for restructuring your mortgage

Are you struggling with your mortgage repayments? Here are the options banks consider when renegotiating with those in arrears or in danger of going into arrears

<p>Moneylenders: the law</p>

Moneylenders prey on those that have least money. If you are unfortunate enough to need their loans to get through tough times, make sure you know your rights

<p>Debt-management agencies</p>

There are no specific laws governing companies offering debt advice or debt management but this could be about to change.

<p>Group advises against debt forgiveness</p>

The final report from the Expert Group on Mortgage Arrears and Personal Debt recommends against a formal debt-forgiveness scheme.

<p>Debt forgiveness - not the Irish way?</p>

In the US debt forgiveness for no-hope cases is policy. Will it ever become law in Ireland?

<p>Redundancy lump sums and debt</p>

<p>Rule 5: Don&#39;t borrow more</p>

<p>Rule 1: Don&#39;t ignore your debt</p>

<p>Rule 4: Negotiate with creditors</p>

<p>Five case studies: My personal debt mountain</p>

Five case studies of horrendous debt, ranging from the story of the couple who had racked up debts of €70,000 to the 22-year old who got a mortgage 13 times her income.

<p>Making a financial plan or statement</p>

<p>Revising your household budget</p>

<p>Household budget - &nbsp;your checklist</p>

<p>Rule 3: making a budget</p>

Defining a budget is one of the first steps towards getting your debts cleared.

<p>Five golden rules</p>

<p>Serious debt - what you need to know</p>

Debt can be overwhelming and in the current climate more people are struggling to make ends meet. Here are some tips that will help you cope with your situation, however difficult

<p>Your questions</p>

We are experiencing the deepest recession in the history of the state and many of us are struggling to keep our heads above water.

<p>Rule 2: prioritising your debt</p>

<p>Free legal aid for repossession cases</p>

A volunteer group of 20 barristers and economists set up an organisation to help those threatened with repossession.