DEAR MASSI, I am very worried at my husbands debts.

He was running his own business but during the last two years it was not going well.

He was hardly making any profit at all.

He started to have health problems and shut down the business after it got too much.

He has taken about £18,000 out on credit cards in his name and mine.

He is presently unemployed and he cant repay the money back and we are also paying the mortgage every month which is too high.

We are a very worried couple and dont know what to do. We also have four young children under the age of 16.

We are finding it difficult to sleep at night and my husband is smoking a lot because of all the stress.

Everyday we get phone calls from the banks and credit card companies.

What can we do?

P

Blackburn

MASSI SAYS,

Thank you for your letter and I am very concerned about your situation.

Debt is a major problem many people go through so remember you are not alone even though at times it might seem you are.

Banks and credit card companies can be very kind when lending out the money but not so when they want their money back. But you need to remember you are in control.

Debt can cause a lot of stress and the first thing to do is to try to make a plan and budget. It is your life not the banks. When the credit card companies write to you the best thing to is write back and not ignore any letter.

When they call answer the phone and politely tell them you are trying to make the payment.

More importantly for someone in your situation you should call the National Debtline, a national telephone helpline on 0808 808 4000. The service is free, confidential and you dont even have to give your name.

Or you can contact the Blackburn Citizen Advice Bureau on 01254 671211.

As for your husbands health assure him this debt will not beat either one of you. Your well-being is more important than anything else.