The Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) are warning people struggling with debt to ensure they make a budget, so they know exactly how much money they have to spend each month.
The group say that with repossessions rising due to the credit crunch, it is more important than ever to prepare a budget and stick to it.
Frances Walker from the CCCS said the number of people contacting the group for help had risen throughout the year and the advice is always to start by preparing a budget.