Guides
Reduce Debt
Practical UK guidance to understand your debts, compare repayment strategies and build a plan to pay them down.
4 debt guides to explore
Getting started
Start here
Begin with a clear overview of one common repayment approach — then explore related strategies and tools.
Debt strategyFeatured guide
Debt consolidation: pros, cons and when to avoid it
Combining debts can simplify repayments — but a longer term may cost more overall. Here’s how to decide.
7 min read
Topics
Explore debt topics
Jump to guides that match the type of borrowing or situation you want to understand.
- Debt consolidationWhen combining debts may simplify repayments — and when it may not.Read guide
- Balance transfersPromotional periods, transfer fees and planning repayment.Read guide
- Missed paymentsWhat can happen if you fall behind, and practical next steps.Read guide
- OverdraftsHow arranged overdrafts are priced and when alternatives may help.Read guide
- Personal loansHow personal loans work when you are considering consolidation.Read guide
Compare approaches
Debt repayment strategies
These approaches involve trade-offs. What suits you depends on interest rates, fees, eligibility and your repayment ability.
Debt consolidation
Understand when combining debts may simplify repayments, and when it can increase total cost.
Read the guideBalance transfers
Understand promotional periods, transfer fees and what happens when the offer ends.
Compare balance transfer cards
Guides
Debt guides
Editorial guides drawn from our borrowing and banking library.
Worth understanding
Considering debt consolidation?
Combining debts can simplify repayments, but fees, a longer term or new borrowing can increase total cost.
Debt strategy
Debt consolidation: pros, cons and when to avoid it
Combining debts can simplify repayments, but fees, a longer term or new borrowing can increase total cost.
Tools
Tools to help plan your repayments
Use these tools to explore your own numbers alongside the guides.
Debt Payoff Calculator
Estimate how long a debt could take to clear and how different payments affect interest.
Open Debt Payoff CalculatorBudget Planner
Map your income and spending to see how much monthly room you may have for repayments.
Open Budget Planner
Support
When debt feels difficult to manage
If you're missing payments, using credit for essential costs, or finding that balances continue to rise, free debt guidance may be useful.
This site provides educational information only. It does not provide debt counselling or personalised advice.
Read about missed payments and next stepsKeep exploring
Related money guides
More editorial hubs and guides on managing your money.
- Budgeting & Money ManagementPlan spending, irregular costs and a clearer monthly surplus.Explore
- Cut Bills & Save MoneyReduce household costs, bills and everyday spending.Explore
- Improve Your CreditUnderstand credit reports and practical ways to strengthen your profile.Explore
- Build Your SavingsEmergency funds and clearer cash savings habits.Explore
Questions or updates
If you spot something that needs correcting or want to contact our editorial team, get in touch.
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