We've got some simple and effective steps to take when dealing with debt. We look at priority debts, loan & credit card debt, debt due to mortgage and rent arrears. Dealing with debt can help put you in control of your life.

Get help sorting that pile of demanding letters and bills using Shelter's simple one page action planners. You'll soon get your budget organised.

When faced with changes in your circumstances, such as redundancy, short-time working, illness, caring for another person or having a child, you may have to cope with a reduction in income and may have to reduce your costs.

When you are faced with changes such as redundancy, short-time working, illness, caring for another person, having a child or bereavement, you may have to cope with a reduction in income – and look at ways of maximising your income to suit your new circumstances.

Having a child is a big life change – and one that requires budgeting for as both your income and outgoings change.Have a look at our ideas for reducing some of the costs associated with having children, and increasing your income.

Your local Shelter advice centre may be able to help. Many of our local services provide specialist help with debt issues as well as housing.

Before you start negotiating with your creditors (the people you owe money to) check that you are liable for your debts. Sometimes people wrongly assume that they have to pay a bill that is in the name of a partner, or that they are responsible because they are relatives of someone who has died. Find out more about some common problems.

When you are in debt it is important to know whether these debts are priority debts or non-priority debts, as this will help you to work out your options.

Credit cards can help you budget, but you'll need to know what to do if you can't make your monthly payment

Payday loans are costly and can cause debt problems. We look at managing payday loan debt and safe affordable alternatives to payday loans.

Explore options for keeping your gas and electricity costs down and find out what to do if you are in arrears.

If you don’t pay certain debts, your creditor could threaten to take you to court and could get a county court judgement against you. Find out what this could mean to you and how you may be able to deal with it.

Consolidating your debts involves taking out one single loan to pay off all or some of your other debts. It can be very risky if the loan is secured against your home.

Bankruptcy is a legal procedure that may be followed if you are unable to meet your debts.

Learn about options that may be preferable to bankruptcy, such as administration orders, composition orders and individual voluntary arrangements.

There are various debt management plans available. Find out more about the options here.

A debt relief order will normally last for 12 months, at the end of this period any remaining debts will be written off.