<p>Some debt numbers touted in the media seem almost unreal.<br />
The UK is said to be in 1.4 trillion pounds of debt, a figure that simply blows the mind;<br />
but have we become so used to debt that many of us see at as a necessity of life?<br />
How many of us would be able to live with our parents and save until we were in our forties to buy a home?<br />
The fact is most people would never marry and have children if it meant they had to wait until they owned their own home outright and that’s just not acceptable.</p>
<h3>Mortgages are Okay – are Credit Cards too</h3>
<p>There’s a good argument for having a credit card just in case of an emergency, but using one to live off is a definite no-no; even if you pay off your debt at the end of every month.<br />
These days there is a certain stigma attached to using a credit card for minor transactions because many people are aware of the growing debt problems faced by many.<br />
In January 2013, the Telegraph reported personal debts and debts not secured on property had risen by £9bn in the two years to 2010, but that figure has risen again and many blame the rise in Payday loan advertisements and easy access to unaffordable credit.<br />
The fact that many states in the U.S. have banned payday loans is a clear sign that they are a drain on society.</p>
<h3>Will the UK Government Ban Payday Loans</h3>
<p>That’s a question on the lips of many people who have suffered at the hands of these companies, but it’s not wise to hold your breath.<br />
There is evidence to suggest payday loan companies are targeting politicians to garner support for the section of the industry they occupy.<br />
Should the recent shake up of the political scene in the UK be reason to reassess the vote-worthiness of plans that seem to make poor people even poorer, we may well be treated to a ban or at the very least, a cap on interest rates.</p>
<h3>Is the Debt Our Fault</h3>
<p>Unless you have been very unfortunate and had a few emergencies that required money in a short space of time, then the answer is yes.<br />
The debt is your fault because apart from losing a job because of an economic downturn and the rising cost of living, coupled with one unexpected emergency after another, there is no reason why we should be in debt.<br />
Too many of us live to the limit of our means and that means we lack a cushion to sit back on when times are hard.</p>
<h3>Where to Go from Here</h3>
<p>Well, the first thing to do is claim responsibility for our debts.<br />
Work to bring down our outgoings and increase our income.<br />
Sound easy? Of course it’s not, but that’s life.<br />
As soon as we become adults, we need to take control of our lives and that means we need to manage our own debts.<br />
Some people will need a debt management company and others will contact lenders and deal with the issue themselves.<br />
Whichever way you choose to tackle your problems, you need to understand the only person who can change your situation is you.<br />
Whether it’s professional help, citizens’ advice or family and friends; help is available but you need to be the driving force.<br />
Abel Froman is a long time suffer of debt and has blamed everyone under the Sun for his problems, but one day whilst asking himself the question “How do I get out of debt?” he realised he had to do it for himself.</p>

What's All The Fuss About Debt?
