Arguably most debt is unnecessary and should be avoided. However, life isn’t quite that simple and it’s difficult to differentiate between a debt which is necessary and one which isn’t.

There are various companies/professionals that offer 'debt advice' in this country. Since the very well documented credit crunch many people have sought such advice.

My mother in law has always been terrible with money and owes somewhere between £30,000 - £60,000 to various credit card companies. I don't think even she knows how much she owes. She hides statements from the rest of her family, paying the minimum amount when she can and when she can't - paying nothing and incurring massive fees. I'm sure that around 90% of what she owes must be charges and interest fees.