Debt problems are ruining lives
Filed under: Financial Crisis, Loans
It's not very surprising that debt problems can have a severe impact on people's lives, but the extent of the misery does surprise me.A survey by leading debt charity Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) has revealed that debt problems have a negative impact on people's close relationships, their health and their ability to carry out their jobs. Alarmingly, 83% of those surveyed said that their debt problems had a very negative impact on their lives.
Paradoxically, a housing market recovery could lead to an increase in the number of repossessions - because lenders become less lenient and enforce suspended possession orders, a debt charity warns today.
Do you constantly worry about not having enough money? You're not alone. 
It's not just homeowners who are worried about losing their homes.
Men have emerged as the new underclass in the wake of the recession. They have been hit hard by job losses, a slower rate of pay increases and rising household spending.
The Association of British Credit Unions (ABCUL) is backing proposals for a link up between credit unions and the Post Office 11,500 branch network, to bring credit union services within the grasp of many more people - and keep them out of the clutches of loan sharks.
It's official. Our debt problems aren't just terrible, they are unimaginably awful. A debt charity has announced that for one in three of the people who contact them, there's no traditional solution available. There's no clear way out.
Many people in debt are only claiming a third of the welfare benefits they are entitled to, according to the Consumer Credit Counselling Service.
For many people the year has started with a rude awakening. Thousands borrowed money from loan sharks to pay for Christmas and are now stuck with crippling debts for the rest of the year.
