About 5 years ago my DH and I managed to splurge ourselves into 40000.00 worth of debt. We spent stupid amounts on our kids and ourselves, had foreign holidays we didn't need bought items for the house that were unnecessary and threw more food away than we ate. (Hangs head in shame!) then one day we woke up and realised the mess we were in. We contacted payplan and they took over our financial life. The first year was horrendous and I wasn't sure how we were going to manage. Payplan took 900.00 a month from us to pay our creditors. A couple of creditors placed defaults on our credit file, but as I was financially screwed anyway, that was fine. I paid no fees to payplan. I lived literally hand to mouth and some days I could barely get out of bed. But time flies, and after the first year we became used to it, the second and third year continued with our debt reducing and reducing. Now four and a half years later, I am 3 months approximately from paying off my debts. I won't owe anyone a penny. I have sold crap at boot sales, bought my clothes and shoes from charity shops (please donate better stuff!! Ha ha) and now finally I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I can live on the smallest budget, my marriage has survived and my kids appreciate the smallest things. Debt can be beaten! It's not easy by any means, but it can be done! I am so glad that we picked up the phone and got help. Good luck to anyone out there who is in a similar or worse position, pick up the phone it will be the best thing you ever do. 