One good thing to do - if you have them and can manage without them - is to physically cut up your cards.... preferably in front of a witness! It acts as a sort of psychological cutting off from the past, and a catalyst for a future of more sensible spending.

Be careful where you consolidate your loans though - tying them into a mortgage might sound good, but if it is interest linked, you could end up in deep doodoos.

Good luck and persevere - if our church can recoup nearly £60k in one year, anyone can do it!!

LTS