Featured guide
Make a missed-bill action plan
Work out what needs attention first, prepare the facts and contact providers before the problem grows.
More practical guidance
Build a small emergency cash bufferCreate a realistic first reserve for urgent costs without ignoring priority bills or expensive debt.Review recurring payments in 30 minutesFind subscriptions and automatic payments, decide what still earns its place and cancel without losing essential access or evidence.
Quick checklist
- All arrears listed
- Priority consequences checked
- Essential budget calculated
- Providers contacted and notes saved
- Free debt advice considered
Common problems
There is not enough for essentials
Use a free debt-advice locator now. Avoid taking new high-cost credit to cover an unaffordable plan.
A provider demands an immediate figure
Ask for time to complete an income-and-expenditure statement and request the proposal in writing.
What to do next
Review the plan weekly until every priority item has an agreed action. If several payments are already missed, use free, confidential debt advice.