How to Help Someone get out of Debt 

Are you worried about a friend or loved one who is in debt? You’re in the right place to find answers. Each month, over 170,000 people turn to us for guidance on debt issues, proving you’re not alone in this situation.

In our 2023 Guide, we’ll help you understand:

• How to spot signs of debt problems.
• Ways to offer emotional support to your loved one.
• Steps to create a monthly budget together.
• How to encourage them to seek help from a debt charity.
• Options to write off some of their debt.

We understand your worries, as many of us have faced similar situations. We know the fear and stress that comes with debt, and we’re here to help you learn more about how to assist someone in getting out of debt.

Remember, it’s not only about financial support but also about understanding and guidance. Let’s get started on this journey together.

How to spot a debt problem

Many people with money problems and debts will not ask for help. They can feel embarrassed or ashamed that they have gotten into debt and be reluctant to confide in you, even if you are their best friend or close family. Thus, it is good to know the red flags which might suggest that your loved one has a debt they are struggling to repay.

Here are some of the red flags that might mean your friend or family member has money worries:

1. They are withdrawing from social occasions without providing a reason
2. They sold their vehicle and started using public transport
3. They avoid talking about finances or change the subject quickly
4. You frequently notice unopened bills and letters around their home
5. They get lots of calls or text messages that change their mood
6. In combination with any of the above, they recently lost an income, such as being made unemployed.
7. In combination with the points above, they seem depressed and anxious

What to do if you suspect a debt problem

If you suspect a friend or family member has a debt problem, the only way to know for sure is to ask them in a respectful and compassionate manner. Sit down with them alone and explain that you have the impression that something isn’t quite right. Give them the opportunity to tell you before asking directly if they are having money problems.

Do not try to find out using other methods, such as looking through their personal belongings or trying to read their mail. 

How can you help someone pay off their debt?

There are lots of ways to help someone you care about get out of their debts. This doesn’t mean you have to pay off their debts for them. In fact, StepChange states that many of their clients are experiencing a debt problem becomes they tried to help friends and family by giving them money. 

This doesn’t mean paying off their debt isn’t an option. But you should be very careful and protect yourself first. If your friend has a debt, it may be a sign they will struggle to pay you back as well. Instead, you can be a source of information, encouragement and support throughout their journey out of debt. 

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How to help someone get out of debt

Anyone wanting to know how to help a friend get out of debt will find three important steps below:

#1: Offer confidential emotional support

Once you have found out that someone you care about has a debt problem, offer them confidential and emotional support so they can talk to you and explain what is going on. 

If you have promised not to tell anybody else, make sure you don’t or it could break the trust you have built up. Let them know they can contact you at any time to discuss the issue. Gradually over time, they may start to reveal more about the problem.

It’s important to offer them emotional support because debt can lead to mental health issues and even depression and suicide. It is estimated that in England over 400,000 people consider suicide to get out of debt each year. 

#2: Make a monthly budget together

You should encourage the debtor to make a monthly budget, which you can help them with. A monthly budget is a great way to work out the debtor’s income and essential expenses, including debt repayments. The budget will help them find ways to save some money and it can be useful when the debtor gets free debt advice to arrange a debt solution – which is the next step!

#3: Encourage them to speak with a debt charity

The third and arguably most important way to help someone get out of debt is to encourage them to speak with a debt charity. These charities offer free and confidential debt advice. The adviser will assess the individual circumstances of the debtor and can even recommend a debt solution to make repayments affordable. Sometimes the charity will even negotiate everything with creditors on the debtor’s behalf.

You could encourage your friend or family member to get free debt advice by providing them with the contact information and explaining how they help. You can also show them reviews left on sites like Trustpilot so they can see how people in a similar situation got out of debt using these free services. 

Thousands have already tackled their debt

Every day our partners, The Debt Advice Service, help people find out whether they can lower their repayments and finally tackle or write off some of their debt.

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More debt help at MoneyNerd

Learn about the different methods people use to get out of debt on the MoneyNerd debt solutions hub. 

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