If your bills are getting out of hand and your finances are in a bit of a mess, it is easy to be panicked into paying the creditors who shout loudest.
Whatever happens you must make sure you keep up the payment on your mortgage or rent.
You may lose your home if you fall into arrears and you wont have much use for Christmas presents if you are living on a friend's floor, or worse, sleeping on the beach.
If you have a mortgage, always let your lender know if you are having problems - don't just stop paying or miss payments.
YOU only need to miss two or three payments before the lender can take you to court and then you are at risk of your house being repossessed.
Similarly, if you miss two months' rent your landlord can start court proceedings to evict you.
If you are suddenly out of work or unable to work because of illness or injury, check for any payment protection insurance that you may have.
Seek advice as soon as you start to have problems paying for your housing and never ignore letters or court papers. If you get as far as a court hearing then do attend so you can explain the situation and offer payment to allow you to stay in the house.
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