Debt:Perception versus Reality

We recently ran a survey asking you to tell us what your perceptions of debt are. We asked you seven questions: Would you expect more women or men to have a debt problem, In terms of housing status, would you expect people with a debt problem to be, Would you expect the marital status of most people with a debt problem to be, Which region of the UK would you expect the highest percentage of people with debt problems? Pick the top three, What would you expect the average monthly income of an individual with a debt problem, What would you expect the total amount of unsecured debt of individuals in a debt management plan to be, How many years on average do you think it would take an individual in a debt management plan to clear their debt?

The aim of the survey was for us to gauge what people’s perceptions of debt are. It is usually the case that people’s perceptions are a lot different to the reality, this survey turned out to show exactly that.

The infographic below shows us what the public’s perceptions of debt are and how this sits in comparison to the reality, the reality being our clients based on those that called us between March 2010 and March 2011 who entered into either a Debt Management Plan or Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA). It is very clear to see that reality of debt is far from the thoughts of many people.

Embed this image on your own blog or website:

(Click once inside the box to select all text)

<a href="http://www.payplan.com/debt-news/2011/07/12/debtperception-versus-reality/"><img src="http://www.payplan.com/debt-news/wp-content/uploads/debtNEW2680px-7.jpg" alt="Payplan Debt Perceptions Infographic 2011"/></a> <p style="margin:6px 0 12px; width:800px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size:8px;">Source: Payplan – <a href="http://www.payplan.com/iva-individual-voluntary-arrangements.php">IVA</a> and Free Debt Management Plan provider.</p> <p>

Regardless of your reality, Payplan are still at the end of the telephone if you would like to speak to an expert debt specialist.

Don’t forget you can find me on Twitter and Facebook

Filed Under Debt News, Payplan, Surveys, debt advice, debt help | Trackback | Leave a Comment

New Energy Smart Meters Could Cut Cost of Energy Bills

Smart Readers to Reduce Costs and Carbon Emissions

All homes in Britain will have smart meters installed by 2020 according to a Government statement released earlier this week.

The Information released by the Energy Retail Association explained that suppliers will install two-way communication systems that display accurate real-time information on energy use to the consumer and back to the energy supplier.

The introduction of Smart Meters will see the end of estimated bills and home call meter readers, allowing for a more accurate reading.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) said this would mean:

Customers would be empowered as they make choices on how much energy they use

Smart energy use will save consumers money, make electricity use more efficient and cut carbon emissions

The instillation of the meters will make it easier to change between suppliers

An estimated £6 million is being invested into the smart technology and will be set for installation by 2020.

If you are struggling to afford your energy bills, contact Payplan today for free debt advice and support.

Filed Under Debt News, Surveys | Trackback | Leave a Comment

Payplan Surveys Online – Help Us to Help You

Your Experiences With Debt Count

In order for Payplan to learn more about people’s opinions and experiences with debt, how debt and financial problems have affected them and what they are doing to prevent things from getting worse, we will soon be posting Payplan Online Surveys here on the blog.

Why not sign up to our RSS Feed to ensure you get the opportunity to take part, and help us to help you.