Debt Management - A Solution You Can Rely On?
There’s no single ‘best’ way of getting out of debt. Different people will need to consider different approaches if they’re to put their debt problems behind them and move on with their lives.
However, one point that the past two years have demonstrated (many times) is that nothing in this life is certain. House prices started dropping, after an unprecedented decade of growth. The base rate fell to an historic low of 0.5%. Unemployment started rising. Employers everywhere are talking of pay freezes.
Debt management - a reliable solution?
So if someone’s looking for a solution to their debt problems, they could be well advised to consider a debt solution that comes with a degree of flexibility. A debt management plan aims to let borrowers repay their debt as quickly as possible - but at an affordable rate.
In other words, it’s a question of what the borrower can afford. Lenders would prefer to receive the money they’re owed in the way that was agreed when the borrower first took the debt on, but sometimes this clearly isn’t possible. This is why lenders may accept lower monthly payments if they can see that the individual simply can’t make the payments as originally agreed, and that accepting lower payments is the best way of recovering their money - better than taking court action, for example, or trying to make the individual bankrupt.
Many people end up looking into debt management plans because their financial situation has changed since they took their debt on. Their salary may have dropped, their essential expenses may have risen - or they may have simply taken on more debt than they realised, until they reached a point where they couldn’t afford to keep up with their payments.
What if my circumstances change again?
Looking to the future, there’s no way someone on a debt management plan be sure their circumstances won’t change again. If they do, their lenders may (or may not) agree to further changes - if they can see this is the best way for the borrower to repay the debt.
This is one of the benefits of a professional debt management plan. With Gregory Pennington, if the individual’s circumstances change while their debt management plan is in progress, their Personal Finance Manager can help them review their options and figure out the best way forward. In many cases, this will mean going back to the lenders and asking them to consider making further changes to their repayment agreements.
Please note that a debt management plan will affect an individual’s ability to obtain credit in the short term - and may do so in the medium / long term. Plus, repaying any debt more slowly will delay the day the debt is paid off, and can add to the overall cost (unless the lenders agree to freeze interest, which they’re not obliged to do).
To find out more benefits of managing your debt, click here.

