If you're juggling several debts and struggling to keep track of payments, there are structured ways to get things under control — from simple consolidation to formal debt solutions, along with free, impartial advice services that can help you choose the right path.
What debt consolidation actually means
Consolidation means combining multiple debts into a single repayment, usually through a new personal loan or a balance transfer card, ideally at a lower overall interest rate. It can make repayments simpler to manage and potentially cheaper — but it doesn't reduce what you owe, and extending the term to lower monthly payments can mean paying more in total interest over time.
Formal debt solutions
For more serious situations, options include a Debt Management Plan (an informal, flexible arrangement to repay debts at a reduced rate), an Individual Voluntary Arrangement or IVA (a formal, legally binding agreement to repay a portion of debts over a set period), and bankruptcy (which clears most debts but has significant, long-lasting consequences for your finances and credit). Each has quite different implications, so it's worth understanding them properly rather than picking based on advertising.
Free debt advice exists — use it before paying for help
Organisations like StepChange, National Debtline, and Citizens Advice offer free, impartial debt advice, and can help you understand which option genuinely fits your situation before you consider any paid service. It's worth using a free service first, since some paid debt solution providers earn commission that can influence which option they recommend.
Watch out for guaranteed-sounding offers
Be cautious of anyone guaranteeing a specific debt reduction amount, or pressuring you to decide quickly — legitimate debt advice takes your full financial picture into account before recommending a specific route, rather than offering a one-size-fits-all promise upfront.