This section is based on the typical experience of debtors facing financial problems. At whatever stage you are on the slippery slope you are not beyond help, however, it is best not to leave it too late.


 Stage 1: Debt trigger (e.g. sickness, marital breakdown unemployment, lost orders, cash flow, redundancy, etc.)

 Stage 2: Initial missed payment and creditor pressure.

 Stage 3: Robbing Peter to pay Paul' - taking out additional loans leading to:

 Stage 4: Multiple debts and multiple pressure.

 Stage 5: Contact with creditor - promise to repay (usually unrealistic amounts due to fear/guilt/pressure).

 Stage 6: Broken promises to creditors resulting in increased pressure (e.g. debt collectors).

 Stage 7: Diverse personal reactions, e.g. denial (ignoring problems), depression, frustration, anger.

 Stage 8: Diverse personal reactions, e.g. denial (ignoring problems), depression, frustration, anger.

 Stage 9: Financial chaos.

 Stage 10: Debtor facing sanction from priority creditors e.g. seizure of furniture/equipment by bailiffs, disconnection of utility supplies, loss of home, potential imprisonment.

 Stage 11: Further loss increasingly possible e.g. marital breakdown, domestic violence, deterioration of physical health, partnership/director disputes, mental breakdown.

Debt can affect everyone in so many different ways. We have heard grown men and women cry in our offices and over the phone. Others have tried to commit suicide, we are all different and handle situations in various ways. The most common reactions are:
“ I feel more relaxed at 6pm or at weekends ” “ I feel so embarrassed ”
“I feel so helpless/failure ”
“It's not that I don't want to pay ”
“This has caused a real strain on our marriage ”
“I’ve lost two stones with all the worry ”