Many consumers are overwhelmed by accumulated debts. In most cases, the problem creeps up gradually, until the total debt load reaches unmanageable proportions. Sometimes even minor problems such as temporary illness can tip the balance for the heavily indebted because they have no savings on which to fall back. Here are some suggestions to help ease the debt burden.

Credit Cards

If you know you are tempted to overspend on credit cards, leave them at home when you go shopping. Pay with cash and you will not have the temptation to overspend.

Develop a Budget

To take control of your financial situation you must have a realistic assessment of how much money you earn and how much money you have left over to spend. Calculate your total income, then list your "fixed" expenses - those unescapable charges you incur every month - like mortgage payments or rent, car payments, and insurance premiums. Next, list optional expenses such as entertainment, recreation, and clothing. Writing down all your expenses, even small ones, is a helpful way to track spending patterns, identify necessary expenses, and prioritize the rest. The goal of a budget is to ensure that your basic needs are met before any discretionary spending.

Contact Your Creditors

Contact your creditors immediately if you're having trouble paying debts. Tell them why it's demanding for you, and try to establish a modified payment schedule that reduces your payments to a more manageable sum. Do this before your account is handed to a bill collector. At that point, your creditors have given up trying to collect the debt voluntarily.

Auto and Home Loans:

Debts are referred to as unsecured or secured. Secured debts usually are tied to an asset, like your car for a car loan, or your home for a mortgage. If you miss payments on a secured loan, the lender can repossess your car or even foreclose on your home. Unsecured debts are not linked to any any asset, and include virtually all credit card debt, medical bills, signature loans, and debts for other services. It is wise to pay off secured loans first, to avoid loss of assets.