Debt is the last taboo. People are more willing to discuss how many sexual partners they've had than how much debt they have. Read Jasmine's Debt: The last taboo blog and share your dirty little secret on our homepage poll. Is debt secretly ruining your life, or do you just not care?

Right at this point I actually have 37 cents credit on my Aussie credit card - so there! I try not to buy things unless I can afford them, my credit card is only for buying online or paying for things in emergencies. I'm not a saint, I'm only 22, but I have been taught how to manage my money as best I can, and this site has given me even more ideas to do so. Yay!

Hi All, I'm bankrupt now and if you watch Jasmine's documentary on Friday 31st August you will see how I managed it. Regards BigAndy

64K - including mortgage

I first got into debt at university, age 18. I am now 45 and have lived with increasing debt throughout that time. It now stands at over £100,000 - and then there is the £92,000 mortgage(second re-mortgage) on top of that. First debt at 18, depression started in my early teens and I see the two as hugely connected. I am still battling both - and next Monday am off to the CAB to help them face my debt demons .... and I am terrified .... but the debt is a constant terror in my life. I run my own business - and without the debt ,would be doing great. Instead I have to work like a trojan just to meet the interest payments on my six credit cards .... and pay the three £400 monthly payments on my three loans. This wears me out, then I dont get the finger out and get in more work  and then I go to the credit card cheque and pay myself with that.

Anyway ... I know this has to stop, I have to be brave and face this because I really cannot bear it any longer ... if anyone would like to leave some words of support, or experience of getting out of such a horrible situation, I would be most grateful.

Blimey! 

Well you are certainly doing the right thing in going to CAB, once you sit down and sort out payments and timescales, it has to be a weight off for you.  I don't know if you have been yet with you posting this last month, but if I catch you in time, have a read of this website www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk it has certainly saved me a fortune, and one of my husbands' loans has been written off because they couldn't provide him with his original agreement with all the terms they should legally have on them, if nothing else, once you ask them to provide them, it may buy you a month - that will save you a fortune by the sounds of it.

Don't let anyone bully you, even Jesus couldn't get blood out of a stone.  What is the worse that could happen to you, they take you to court - good, the judge will see your outgoings and rule a repayment that YOU can afford, not what your debtors want you to pay.

Obviously there are good tips on her such as renting a spare room out, have no spend days etc. I believe that Jasmine can help you on a one to one?

I'm no expert by any means, I am just a person who has been there.  I sold my house to pay my debts off as they landed me in hospital, and I now live in private rented accommodation, I was lucky that I had money in it.

All I have to do now is get my hubby some business skills, he has his own business, and is such a grafter - however his business skills leave a lot to be desired bless him!

Good luck, I really feel for you.  I hope you get everything sorted, and don't forget to visit that website, I promise it will cut you outgoings and maybe give you a free month.

Let us know how you are doing, I would love to know.

Wow, how things change. Shortly after I wrote this, I went to Europe, came back to London with no money, cash advanced a lot of money on my Aussie credit card and added a few other things on to there. Only this week, six months later, have I finally been able to pay it off. I'm back in the black and it's such a relief. It's definitely taught me a good lesson on spending and looking after my money properly.