With one in ten adults in the dark about their debts, here's why - and how - you should shine a light on your situation.
Do you always check your bank statements? Or do they languish, often unopened, on your living room shelf?
If questioned, could you name the balances outstanding on your credit cards and loans... Or would you wince and pluck a ‘ballpark' figure from your memory?
If you're a bit woolly on the exact amounts you owe, you're far from alone.
According to new research from CreditExpert, only one in four adults are able to accurately state how much they have left to pay on outstanding loans.
However, being in the dark about debt is never a safe situation. In fact, it could be the first step on the road to money misery.
Ignorance Is Bliss?
According to CreditExpert's survey, a seriously worrying one in ten adults admit they have no idea how much debt they're in.
More than a third of people questioned (36%) said they weren't sure what APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is or how it works, and almost half (48%) were unable to recall the interest rates they're paying on their credit cards.
While it's easy to dismiss uncertainty as the result of hectic living, I think there's something more sinister behind these statistics.
No matter how busy you are, keeping on top of your finances is vital -- or, eventually, you may find that they're on top of you.
Denial Ain't Just A River In Egypt
The problem with ignoring debts is that, by doing so, you abdicate control over them.
It might seem easier in the short term, but ‘denying' your debts means that they could hit crisis point later.
'Ignorance' of even comparatively small debts might see them plague you for decades. As Cliff D'Arcy recently pointed out, a £2000 debt at 16.5% APR could take you thirty years to clear if you pushed it to the back of your mind, only paying back the minimum required each month.
On the other hand, if know how much you owe, you can use money saving tricks such as balance transfers to beat down your debts.
I'm In Debt Denial: What Do I Do?
It isn't easy to pull yourself out of debt denial, but it's an incredibly worthwhile step.
Once you've made the decision to claw back control of your finances, here are some tips on what to do next:
1. Face the facts!
If you have a pile of bills, bank statements or even demands from debt collection agencies, the first thing you must do is open them.
Manzanilla, one of the regular posters on our Dealing With Debt (DWD) discussion board, has some great tips for making this process easier and more efficient. You can read them here.
By the time you've finished, you should know:
• how much you owe, and to whom;
• how much interest you're paying on each debt;
• what your monthly minimum repayments are.
2. Budget better.
Using a Statement Of Affairs calculator will provide you with a clear idea of how much money you have coming in and going out each month.
The next step is to make an action plan, cutting costs where you can and putting the pounds you save towards demolishing your debts.
The DWD and Living Below Your Means discussion boards feature tons of helpful tips for doing this.
3. Travel back in time.
If we could really go back in time, I'm sure most of us would like to think we'd never get into debt in the first place.
However, not even a time machine can save you from debt problems if you haven't addressed the real reasons why those problems arose.
Try to look at your past spending and identify why and how your control started slipping.
This can be difficult, but remember that ridding yourself of debt is no good unless you also rid yourself of the behaviours and thought processes that got you there in the first place.
4. Never feel ashamed.
Many people experience feelings of shame when it comes to facing their debts.
This can be incredibly painful and destructive, so if you're suffering, please try to tackle these emotions.
Being in debt is not a crime, and it does not make you a bad person. Beating yourself up about your situation is neither justified nor constructive: it can only make your life more difficult.
Whatever mistakes you feel you've made in the past, remind yourself that you're now moving forward. Think positively, and seek help if you feel you need it.
Help Is At Hand
In my opinion, the British taboo that still surrounds discussing money is incredibly unhelpful.
Too often, people don't get the information or support they need to deal with financial strife because they're afraid to talk about their needs.
When you're not longer in the dark about your debts, don't keep your friends and family there. If you confide in them, you might be surprised to learn that they've had similar experiences to you.
If your problems seem insurmountable, organisations such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, National Debtline and the Consumer Credit Counselling Service will be able to offer you guidance.
Whether you think you owe £2000 or £20,000, I'd urge you to look at your situation and take back control today. When it comes to money, denial is dangerous -- but knowledge is power.
As Eleanor Roosevelt once said: "It's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness".
Whatever the severity of your problems, excellent advice, heartfelt encouragement and kind words of comfort can be found on The Motley Fool discussion boards. Dealing With Debt, Comfort Cafe and Living Below Your Means are my favourites.
More: Bad Debtors Aren't Bad People | 7 Tips To Seriously Reduce Your Debts | Cut Your Interest Payments Down To Zero
