Hints & Tips for your student finances

You may have spotted the recent surge of reports, studies and surveys conducted saying that students are leaving university with more debt than ever.

The figures range from an average student debt of £13,000 to £30,000 with some reports predicting an all time high of £33,000 by 2010. These debt amounts are based on a 3 year course covering tuition fees and living costs.

Up to 50 per cent of student debt is unsecured on products like credit cards, overdrafts and bank loans. This is often where debt problems can begin.

If you can only afford to pay the minimum monthly payment on a credit card or you’re struggling to keep up loan repayments this is where Chiltern can help.

• We take care of all you overdrafts
• We take care of all credit card debt
• We take care of all catalogue debt
• We take care of all personal loans

One free ten minute phone call is all it will take for us to assess your debt situation and offer free advice. There is no obligation and you’re not tied into a contract. Our experience, expertise and systems mean we can change your life for the better in a matter of minutes.

• Plan a budget. Try to keep track of your monthly finances; incoming payments and outgoing expenses. This could help you steer clear of an overdraft.
• Working part time – help your cash flow by working part time. Try sacrificing just one or even two evenings per week.
• Use cash rather than cards. Debit and credit cards can lead to over spending.
• Recycle your unwanted mobile phones for cash! Rather than have your old mobile phones collecting dust in a drawer, make money from them by trading them in for cash today. Depending on the age, working order, make and model of your old mobile, there are companies who pay between £20-£50. There's even demand for older models, as these can be sent to developing countries that don't have the latest technology systems yet. To achieve the best possible price, your phone should be in full working order with the original battery and charger.
• If you are worried about your debts or struggling to keep up with repayments Chiltern Debt Management may be able to help. Chiltern has been providing financial first-aid to thousands of people for more than ten years.

A free ten-minute phone call can provide you with the peace of mind to sleep easier tonight knowing there is a solution to your money worries and it is being dealt with by professionals.

We give you free access to your credit report so you can see the information lenders see about you when they assess an application for credit.

And whether it's just money management tips to help you save for a special occasion, or a total overhaul of your borrowing and spending, we can help. Our range of financial solutions mean you only pay what you can afford on a regular basis - and we hold your hand from the moment we first talk to you until we've found the right solution for you.