Category: Debt Advice

Black Friday Deals in Scotland?

Posted on by Craig Stocks
As Black Friday approaches, many will have been lying in wait at their computers for the clock to strike midnight on Thursday beforehand. Others camp out in front of shops. Black Friday, the biggest retail event of the year, with thousands of shoppers looking for a deal out in force. Before you rush to join them, here are a few things to consider.

Are you really getting the best deal in Scotland on Black Friday?

Although you are led to believe by shops that Black Friday offers deals that won’t be matched at other times of the year, in fact, they are winding their prices down for the Christmas sales and the lowest prices are usually found the week before Christmas. Toy prices are lowest in the middle of December and winter clothes and shoes are at their lowest prices the weekend before Christmas. If you have been struggling with your finances, Trust Deed Scotland may be able to help. Try the Trust Deed Wizard tool to find out how a Trust Deed could help you write off a percentage of your debt and get your finances back on track.  

Have you checked the sales prices of other companies?

There’s a strong chance the item you’re looking for may be on sale in several different shops. Read their deals online and see if they include warranties or free shipping before deciding which shop to purchase from. Also make sure to check the returns policy as some companies will offer a full refund, while others may not accept returns on sale items.  

Is it still a deal if it’s something you don’t need?

If there’s nothing you need, don’t buy anything! Make a list of things you need and then have a look online or in store for them. If you buy lots of items that you don’t need on impulse, simply because they are on sale, doesn’t mean you’ve got a bargain, it means you’ve wasted money! If you’d like to spend less this festive season, see our Money Saving Christmas Tips article.  

Is Black Friday a fad?

It’s hard to say what the future holds for Black Friday. For example, we already know that the Coronavirus pandemic of 2020-2022 created an entirely different experience online and in the shops for obvious reasons. For further reading see Black Friday Debt 2020, Black Friday Debt 2021 and Black Friday Debt 2023 for three articles written, on the same subject.  

Have you read reviews for the items you want to buy?

Make sure you’ve compared similar products and decided on the one you want to buy. Maybe, if you read reviews you may change your mind if the product has high incidences of breakages, faults or isn’t user friendly.  

What is your Black Friday budget?

Set yourself a target price range of what you can comfortably spend, then deduct 15-20%. Take this amount with you in cash, then, you can’t splash out on extras you don’t need and didn’t want until you saw them in the sale. By deducting the 15-20%, you’ve set aside funds for any situations that may arise such as leaks at home, boiler breakdowns or expensive energy bills. It’s always a good idea not to max out your expendable income. And remember, hot on the heels of Black Friday…Cyber Monday.

Lastly, remember to stay safe and maintain your dignity during the Black Friday sales!

Don’t get involved in a brawl for a TV or games console. As a London Metropolitan Police Officer tweeted, ‘Even on #BlackFriday shoving people to the floor so you can get £20 off a Coffee Maker is still an assault.’ If you’d like some advice on your finances Contact Us for more information or see our Scottish Debt Advice FAQs.

Why A Trust Deed Can Be Your Best Option

Posted on by Craig Stocks

Why Protected Trust Deeds can be your best debt repayment option

When hearing about money advice it can be easy to quickly dismiss any statements made when people somewhat boastfully exclaim that they’ll never allow themselves to get into a perilous financial position. However, this has not been simple in the last five years or so. The worldwide recession has caused large scale unemployment throughout Europe with the Euro zone struggling and millions of citizens – who thought they were in safely secured jobs – losing their occupation. As a consequence fewer people are more confident about avoiding debt then before 2008. Regardless of your current employment the British economy is not as strong as it once was and the recovery has been slower than politicians would have hoped – due to public discontent with an election around the corner. This also restricts what services the government can fully protect with cuts to the NHS despite assurances from the three main parties this would never happen during the 2010 campaign. It’s fair to say the expenses scandal in 2009 meant the campaign promises were littered with public doubt anyway. Politicians may be one of the most difficult professions to trust, but our independent company only wants to help clients that call our Trust Deed Scotland team.

Excellent Trust Deed Scotland Trust Pilot

Our excellent 5/5 Trust Deed Trust Pilot rating demonstrates how trustworthy and effective we are at solving people’s debt in the long term. Our commitment to helping people solve their money troubles once and for all separates us from payday lenders and our results distance ourselves way in front of other trust deed providers. Rather than forcing you to go on Debt Solution comparison websites for the best deals we provide you with detailed information on your repayment plan through our ‘Trust Deed Wizard’. This helpful tool clearly shows you what monthly fees you would be paying if you decided to sign up to a Trust Deed with us. It takes into account your employment status, monthly earnings and expenditure as well as how much overall debt you are in. This allows you to get results in just two minutes and clearly displays your financial situation and what can be done to tackle it with our help at Trust Deed Scotland. In most cases you will be able to protect key assets such as your home and car – to do so you’ll need to make regular repayments. Our staff will be able to devise a plan with your consent that will clear dreaded debt. To qualify for a trust deed you must have debts of at least £5,000 and these will have a four-year term on them. If you can make the agreed monthly repayments then your debt will clear in these 48 months. This allows you to start again financially and this takes a huge weight of your shoulders. If this sounds like a plan you’d like to begin swiftly then give us a call or visit our offices in Glasgow to speak with us from face-to-face. If you reside in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee or Ayrshire; anywhere in Scotland – Trust Deed Scotland can arrange a home visit, or we can meet you at a place outwith the family home. This is something that is often requested.

If A Trust Deed Is Not The Best Option – What Alternative Options Exist?

While we answer the question of why a Trust Deed can be your best option, it’s worth remembering that Trust Deed Scotland offer Debt Arrangement Scheme and Sequestration advice; while it all sounds very confusing, a 30-45 minute call with a qualified debt advisor could open the door to a life after debt. Why A Trust Deed Can Be Your Best Option

Growing Old with Debt in Scotland

Posted on by Craig Stocks
While social and economic forecasts often differ depending on the source, there’s one thing that we can all agree on – the population of Scotland is getting older. Through better healthcare and more overall knowledge surrounding our daily diets and routines, we are managing to stave off the grim reaper for much longer than was expected when we were born and as a result having to tackle with a world of new troubles and challenges as we enter our seventh, eighth and ninth decades. This is an issue that is only going to increase in importance as the years roll on, too. The Office for National Statistics has predicted that the number of people reaching their 100th year will multiply hugely over the course of the next thirty years. In 2013, there was an estimated 14,000 centenarians in the country, but by 2037 there may be as many as 111,000. Combine this with the fact that one third of babies born in the 2010s will live to be 100 or more and you have got a society that needs to adapt its outlook in order to survive.

What does this mean for the finances of the elderly in this day and age?

It means that the harsh reality of the matter is that the majority of us have grossly underestimated our living requirements, and as a result the number of pensioners seeking debt advice and support has begun to increase over recent years. According to a report in the Herald, hundreds of thousands of Scots may be facing ‘decades of poverty’ throughout their retirement due to a misunderstanding of their needs – many of whom haven’t even cast thought about the monetary needs in years to come. One in four of the people questioned in the cited survey stated that they hadn’t considered their financial situation once they finish working, and the same amount believed that they could rely on their children once they reached that stage. While this may be true for a percentage of the population, there is much less expendable wealth for the younger generations to access. As a result, saving pots across the board are smaller and elderly family members are increasingly exposed to debt problems as they look to borrow small amounts from payday lenders to plug holes in their pockets. Through underestimating the amount of time they will need financial provisions for, elderly Scots are only now waking up to the consequences of not having a nest egg to rely on. Clive Bolton, Aviva’s managing director of retirement solutions, has sent out a stark warning to people who are struggling with their finances, stating that “even underestimating life expectancy by a couple of years could have serious consequences for someone in their later years who has outlived their savings, has care needs and has nothing to fall back on.”

So where does Trust Deed Scotland fit into all of this?

As Scottish debt help specialists, we are perfectly positioned to help people with debt in Scotland, or money troubles get back on their feet. Through our Trust Deed Wizard, we can work out the perfect debt repayment plan – one personalised to your needs, and one that is designed with the sole purpose of getting you back on your feet. Our solutions include Trust Deeds, Debt Arrangement Scheme and alternative Scottish debt solutions. Even if you feel like you’re not ready to consider whether a formal debt solution is right for you, we can help with applying for a Statutory Moratorium – breathing space from the people you owe money to. Our team can help you understand what a Statutory Moratorium is and give you an idea of how it might be able to help you which gives you a bit more time to look into more permanent solutions. Creditors will no longer be able to hassle you for payments you’re struggling to make, instead dealing with our liaison officer who will in turn provide you with supportive advice and financial guidance. Ensuring that you rectify your financial difficulties sooner rather than later will help you avoid falling into the ever-expanding group of the elderly poor as you move towards your later years. Contact one of our Trust Deed specialists on 01412210999 today and take the first steps out of the red and towards the black.

The Dangers of Council Tax Debt

Posted on by Craig Stocks

Austerity measures were inevitable after the results of the 2010 election, but voters will be disappointed these are still in place today after a slow economic recovery. Many people fear the Dangers of building up Council Tax Arrears Debt in Scotland.

Personal debt has been a damaging consequence from an unstable and uncertain economy around the globe. Poorer residents have felt that they have been taken advantage of by local authorities, with little leeway for those slipping into debt. This has been difficult to overcome following reduced local government spending.

Things such as Council Tax Reduction have been cut, leaving householders with higher property tax bills among other costly payments.

It’s no wonder personal debt has soared in Scotland and elsewhere. The cost of living never seems to drop in Britain, but funding protecting its citizens unfortunately has.

Thousands rely on the government’s financial support to get by and the economic climate has meant this has been cut quite dramatically. Although this is far from ideal, people can understand that cuts need to be made, but the approach of local authorities has been criticised by many.

UK local governments have been condemned for their aggressive debt collection tactics when attempting to recover people’s debts such as wage arrestments. There are a number of factors in the rise of household debt and increased council tax rates have been detrimental to numerous Scottish residents.

Perhaps most worrying of all is how local authorities are dealing with personal debt in their specific area.

Research from debt charity StepChange revealed that councils are more likely to use enforcement measures instead of offering help. Half of the participants from their survey said they were threatened with bailiffs despite speaking to the council and 62 per cent were threatened with court orders.

A spokesperson for the charity was unimpressed by how local council authorities were conducting themselves in regards to collection of Council Tax Arrears.

“The changing nature of debt problems, where more and more people are struggling to meet their essential living costs, combined with changes to council tax benefits, have conspired to create a debt problem that has grown second only to payday loans.

“Councils need to employ a more consistent, responsible, and proportionate approach to dealing with people in arrears, and not default to aggressive enforcement that often makes a bad situation worse.”

Arguably, the most concerning statistic of them all was that just 13 per cent were encouraged to get debt advice from companies such as us at Trust Deed Scotland.

By keeping your problems bottled up there will only be a negative effect to your finances and overall well-being.

While some councils may not adequately support people who need help the most, our doors are always open at Trust Deed Scotland. By using our Trust Deed Wizard you can quickly control your money troubles and talking to us will help formulate a decisive plan at reducing your debts. Our tailored debt advice service changes people’s lives for the better.

Even if you feel like you’ll be unable to sign up to a Trust Deed, it’s still well worth contacting us. We have several other effective alternatives such as a Debt Arrangement Scheme and Minimal Asset Process which stops harassment from creditors and puts you back in control of your financial situation.

We believe that people in debt should be in command of their finances, rather than fearing about enforcement agents and other intimidating figures.

If you require support then please do not hesitate in contacting a member of our experienced debt advice team today. We have an office in Glasgow so you can visit us in person if this is something that better suits your needs.

Alternatively, you can set up a debt solution using our WhatsApp debt advice service.

How The Scottish Cost of Living Has Increased

Posted on by Craig Stocks
Despite supermarkets being full of bargain deals on cut-price Easter Eggs, the growing problem of price hikes remains for everyday necessities. Following the tradition of purchasing chocolate may be fairly innocuous to your finances, but there seems to be little letup on monthly charges that appear to be getting more and more expensive. Britons are becoming poorer across the home nations and it is no surprise that the economy is arguably main issue ahead of May’s Westminster election. Pledges have been made as political parties seek to mobilise support and win marginal seats while thousands of householders worry about their own finances. In this day and age it can be easier said than done to avoid slipping into financial problems. With employment opportunities difficult to come by in some cases there are large pressures on citizens providing for their family and themselves. Affording rent, utility bills and food has become challenging over the last few years with government cuts along with an unstable global economy. Credit card debts have continued to be an issue in Britain, but at Trust Deed Scotland we have helped people get out of the red. Our Trust Deed Wizard tool is a quick way of seeing if your debts can be resolved with our unbiased support. Rising costs have been outlined in the Daily Mirror, and most of these categories are effectively enforced spending because of how necessary they are. We can help people struggling to make such vital payments, though. Our tailored advice has led to a 5/5 TrustPilot rating – we are experienced to say the least when it comes to debt help in Scotland.

Council Tax

The property tax has seen rises in charges in certain parts of Scotland, but even recent freezes have done little to ease the strain of financial instability. Many Brits relied on discounts, but these have either been cut or removed altogether since 2010. Opponents of this charge say it bears no relation on people’s ability to pay, but residents cannot avoid paying this with fees dependent on where they live. Some people qualify for reductions without realising, so it is worth double-checking with your council. Council Tax debt should always be treated as a priority debt, at all times.

Dentist Appointments

It is rare to hear about someone’s joy at the prospect of visiting their local dentist, but this ill-feeling will continue for Scots as prices are to rise. Scottish patients will have to pay 81.61 per cent of their dental treatment cost with the total capped remaining the same at £384. It may be effective by checking the prices between private and NHS treatment as Which? revealed some private dentists offer cheaper fillings than public facilities.

Car Tax

Although there has been some reductions in fuel prices, car tax has risen this financial year. First licence rates have increased by £10 for bands L and M. An effective way of legally avoiding road tax is by owning a car which emits under 100g/km of carbon dioxide. For the majority with money issues this will not be a viable solution, but contacting our team at Trust Deed Scotland certainly will help. If you are worried about your financial situation please take action by contacting us today. We give tailored and helpful debt advice to all of our customers so don’t be bogged down by your living costs and speak to us.

The Benefits of a Debt Consolidation Loan

Posted on by Craig Stocks
A guide to the benefits of a debt consolidation loan. Find out more about the best way to consolidate debt in Scotland. Government funding cuts have had a negative impact on several households across the United Kingdom with less protection for public services and other businesses that people are heavily reliant on. This has affected people in virtually every industry since the global recession and shocked many when falling into debt. The lure of payday loans cannot be seen as an effective solution, even after recent regulations capping interest rates for those needing instant cash. At Trust Deed Scotland® we understand how quickly living costs can pile up and become unaffordable in the blink of an eye. For this reason, we offer all of clients tailored and experienced debt advice with sustainable Scottish debt solutions. One of these is a debt consolidation loan. This can be the best method of removing debt and reduce stresses about your finances as a result. It is conceivable that many of us have considered a short-term fix to our money problems, but quite often this will not be beneficial in the long run. Desired sustained answers to debt may feel unrealistic at the time, but we pride ourselves on outstanding reviews from those who have contacted us. Of course, that is not to say that debt consolidation loans easily eradicate your arrears, but they help people manage their repayments. Dealing with debts is easier said than done, however working out exactly what you owe is more effective than some may think. Although the prospect of doing this can be daunting people should not feel embarrassed when finding out the figure – it is the first step to solving your financial issues. We are fully aware that the cost of living has increased in recent years and our team have the necessary experience to help people get back into the black. Our debt advice services are confidential and we are only interested in making clients happy rather than others who seek monetary gain. Debt consolidation loans allows people to repay their debts over a longer time and get out of the red without harming their future finances. This is often a direct consequence from using payday lenders, but repayments recommended by us are much more affordable as well as being more flexible and effective. This method of debt reduction means you can repay exactly what you owe into manageable monthly payments which frees up your income on other vital areas of spending. Although the lower payments mean that you are likely to be in debt for longer, this can make budgeting easier. Your repayments shall be significantly lower than interest rates of payday loan companies and is more affordable for our clients. We are proud to say our TrustPilot rating of 5/5 sets us apart from competitors, enhancing our reliability and proving that it’s possible to reach a brighter future. We help restore confidence and peace of mind and our services do not cost a penny for such incredible effectiveness. There are no setup fees and our clients pay back what they can afford in four years without the risk of losing their home and prized assets. If you would like to hear from our team then contact us today. Alternatively, you can also view what our happy customers have said about our support and advice.

Debt Consolidation Loan alternatives

Trust Deed Scotland® have helped over [volume] people reach a brighter future. With no further borrowing required, no credit checks and affordable repayments – there are other ways to consolidate your debts without needing to resort to applying for a loan. Learn more about the Scottish Trust Deed and alternative Scottish debt solutions such as DAS.

UK Consumer Debt at Seven-Year High

Posted on by Craig Stocks

While recent figures displayed that unemployment in the United Kingdom dropped to its lowest level in over six years, this has not correlated with a reduction in consumer debt.

In fact, new borrowing on loans, credit cards and overdrafts reached a staggering £1.25bn across November. A fall in people out of work appears to be insignificant due to debt rising to a seven-year high. Unfortunately, this is evidence of a dangerous trend – Scots are still relying on credit – as consumer helplines are busier than at the same stage a year ago.

The Bank of England’s research for November underlines how difficult a significant number of UK residents are finding combining reduced government financial support with high living costs. Many, regardless of their wealth, overbuy and consequently overspend around Christmas and the prospect of the first credit card bills of 2015 is likely to be feared by those under financial pressure.

The £1.25bn rise in unsecured borrowing was the highest increase since Northern Rock was nationalised. This chaotic period from February, 2008 was in the early stages of the credit crunch, but effects of a worldwide economic crash appear to be continuing at an alarmingly difficult level for several citizens.

Unemployment now stands at 5.8 per cent of the adult working population, meaning there are nearly 31 million working according to the Office for National Statistics. Although more people are in work, this is not to say the UK is making big strides in combating their personal debt problems.

Stella Creasy, shadow consumer minister, said Britain had a “massive looming personal debt crisis” and many households were in dire financial straits. She added:

“They’re not buying big fancy TVs and posh holidays – they are borrowing to cover the gap between what they earn and what they need to pay for each month.”

There is an expected upcoming investigation on the UK credit card industry, due to aggressive marketing concerns in a field believed to be worth around £150bn.

National Debtline and debt charity StepChange are expecting to receive plenty of calls in January and February as the financial fallout from late 2014 is likely to cause many taxpayers some money issues.

StepChange dealt with 50,000 clients last January and this is likely to significantly rise in light of the soaring UK rates of borrowing.

At Trust Deed Scotland our Scottish Debt Help team are dedicated to supporting clients across the nation, by giving free and impartial advice to whoever calls us.

More often than not, letting your debt problems go unresolved will worsen your financial situation and adversely affect you and close family. These figures should not cause widespread panic as decisive action can be taken.

Our fabulous TrustPilot rating demonstrates that we are a Scottish Trust Deed company you can rely on to resolve your debt issues in a caring and considerate way, as opposed to payday loan companies and credit card providers. They care about their profits whereas we are interested in people who need support.

Sheriff Officer Role in Scotland

Posted on by Craig Stocks
 

Explaining the Sheriff Officer Role in Scotland

Sheriff Officers in Scotland are similar to bailiffs in England, Wales and Northern Irelandbut there are a few key differences that are very important to learn. Knowing the law and what to do in certain circumstances could prove very helpful in the future if you should ever come across a Sheriff Officer, and it’s also very helpful for making sure they don’t overstep any boundaries. If your debts are beginning to spiral out of control then these details could prove extremely useful. Sheriff Officers are officers of the court who are employed by different firms, or they can be self-employed. They take orders from individuals, companies, solicitors, local authorities and government departments, and they can enforce a number of court orders. This includes eviction, debt enforcement, property disputes and family matters such as adoption or divorce. However they are not the same as the police, and they can only enforce existing court orders or deliver legal papers. Sometimes this power may include a civil warrant that allows them to detain or remove someone from premises. Learn more about how to stop a Sheriff Officer, in our more recent guide. Before a creditor sends a Sheriff Officer to you they must have first tried other ways of collecting your money. They also need a court order to enter your home and seize any possessions, so make sure you ask to see the correct documentation first. Documents allowing entry into your home usually include phrases such as ‘grants warrant for all lawful execution’. If you have any doubt as to whether the documents allow the Sheriff Officer into your home then phone the firm that sent him. If a Sheriff Officer has the correct authority to enter your home and you refuse to let them in, they are allowed to use what’s called ‘necessary reasonable force’. This means they could decide to force a door open or break a lock on a window. You could also be charged with breach of the peace if you refuse entry to an officer of the court who has the correct documentation. If a lock or a window is broken by a Sheriff Officer then the person pursuing the court order, such as a landlord or creditor, has to pay for a replacement. If you aren’t in your home when a Sheriff Officer comes then they can only force entry if they are enforcing an eviction, ensuring certain work has been carried out or recovering property. For enforcements involving the confiscation of possessions to sell them (exceptional attachment) to occur there has to be someone in the home who is at least 16 years of age who understands what’s going on.

What time of day are Sheriif Officers in Scotland permitted to enter your home?

There are also rules regarding the times when a Sheriff Officer can enter your home. For eviction and debt enforcement they usually have to write to tell you they are coming. A Sheriff Officer can only carry out exceptional attachment for debt between 8am and 8pm, and not on a Sunday or on a public holiday. The only time this rule doesn’t stand is if a Sheriff Officer has a warrant to enter the property to see if someone is in danger. It’s imperative that you check the identity of Sheriff Officers before you allow them into your home. Every officer has an identity booklet with a photo of themselves and the crest of the Scottish court service, so ask to see this first. If you’re still unsure about the identify of someone claiming to be a Sheriff Officer then you can ask for the name of the firm they work for and phone them up to confirm. Sheriff Officers do have the power to physically remove you from the home if you are being evicted. However, it is advised that you leave without this happening, as you could be charged with breach of the peace if you come across angry and obstructive. You should get plenty of warning before an eviction, though, which is usually at least two weeks notice. If you feel like a Sheriff Officer has been unreasonable or acted against the law then you can write to the officer of the firm that employs them to ask for an explanation. If you aren’t happy with the response then you can make a written complaint to the Sheriff Principal who may arrange for an investigation. Sheriff Officers in Scotland come with quite a lot of power, provided they have the correct documentation. However, it’s important to know your rights and always double-check to make sure they are who they say they are. If you feel like debt is piling up and you’re having trouble staying on top of it, get in touch with Trust Deed Scotland today. We provide superb, ethical debt advice in Scotland and can tell you about the best steps to take next if you want to gain control over your finances again with products including the Scottish Trust Deed.