Managing debt

The first of the tax changes announced in this year’s Budget kick in from 1 October. But now is the time to think about how to make the most of that extra cash in your pocket.

By now you will have received your credit card bill for what you spent at Christmas and over the holiday period. If there was a big figure at the end, you’re not alone.

At this time of year many of us come back from holiday intent on making some big changes in our lives – like buying a new house, or maybe even moving to a new town.  

It's good to be able to borrow money. It can help you acquire assets - like a house, a business or an education. But debt can also be a trap.

You wouldn’t buy a car or anything else without knowing the price tag, so keep in touch with what your student loan is costing you each time you borrow. It will mean you stay in control.