A third of those decided to participate in a debt-repayment plan. Our average client held six credit cards and was £18,000 in debt. And while many of our clients got into debt when they were students, naive about credit-card interest rates and late fees we have seen business people, lawyers and judges — even financial planners and Independent Financial Advisors — seek help in eliminating debt. Often they've run into trouble because of a life-changing event like a job loss, death, illness or divorce.

Most people can't just flip open a chequebook and wipe out £18,000 worth of unpaid bills. But plenty of reputable organisations are out there willing to help you negotiate a manageable schedule to repay your debts and to see where you've been overspending. Unfortunately, there are some not-so-honourable companies as well — ones hoping to profit from your desperation and employing high-pressure sales tactics to get you to sign with them. Many offer little more than a quick road to bankruptcy court. Learn more about the kind of questions people are asking us on a daily basis.