Unenforceable credit agreements - test case result due January.

Consumers hoping to write of their debts, claiming they are unenforceable, will soon know their fate following a recent test case hearing in the Manchester High Court.

If the Court supports the consumer then the lenders may be forced to write the debts off, however if the Court favours the lenders then many thousands of consumers will be forced to pay up for their debts.

Read more, plus OFT warning to lenders.

Heed the warning - 0% credit card balance transfers

If you are moving your credit card balance to a nought percent or lower interest rate to try and keep your monthly payments down, and this does not solve your debt problems, then take note.

The credit card provider is most likely to reject any rescheduling of your debts, for example through a debt management plan or IVA , because they have just become a 'new lender' upon the balance transfer.

You have been warned. Read more.

SunTalk - internet radio arm of the Sun newspaper - Wed 23rd Dec

Mike will be live in the studio at 11.30 am Wednesday 23rd December taking your calls, emails and texts on how to resolve your debt issues.

You can submit a question, or send your queries to gaunty@suntalk.co.uk or text 87131 or call 020 33 64 7000 and get the answer.

In case you missed the last cracking show, you can listen to it for free:

Debtwizard on SunTalk podcast 27 Nov 09

Debt management industry needs to box clever to avoid regulation says OFT

With regulation edging nearer we examine the implications for both consumers and the lenders looking at the three options open to the industry and whether any regulated debt plan would stop interest and other charges.

We also detail what protection the new DMPs could give consumers and importantly, who will pay the fees. Read more.

Checkout time looms for the cheque

Government departments, such as HM Revenue & Customs and the Department for Work and Pensions, rely on cheques to make millions of payments each year.

Cheques are still widely used for making payments to tradesmen and for utility bills.

So why are cheques to be abolished? Is it that they cost around £1 each to process?

More on this and who is behind killing off the cheque can be found here.

How to deal with a 'loan shark'

With millions of consumers in the UK finding it difficult to meet monthly bills, even more so at Christmas, it is inevitable some will fall foul of the 'Loan Shark'.

We explain how to check up on a loan shark, where to get free help if you have already fallen for one and answer the question, 'do I legally have to repay a loan shark?'

All at the Debtwizard guide to loan sharks.

BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast 7am - 9am Tues 29th Dec

Festive Finances Surgery with 5 Live. Day 1 Debt. Mike will be live in the studio with presenter Andrew Verity taking your calls, emails and texts on debt issues.

This should be a fascinating show and a great opportunity to any listener to get some no nonsence advice on debt issues.

You can listen online, On Digital TV, On Digital Radio or 909 / 693 AM .

Ever heard of a 'Log Book' loan?

A 'Log Book' Loan is a loan secured against your vehicle, (a car or a motorbike).

Having a log book loan means that you will lose your vehicle if you default on the repayments to the loan company.

The APR (interest rate) can be around 437%. We cover the qualifying criteria as well as advantages and disadvantages at the Debtwizard guide to log book loans.

Free Budget Wizard

The Budget Wizard can be used to help you avoid getting into debt. If it is too late and your finances are out of control then this unique form will quickly establish your position and predict how much your debt will increase over the next one month, 12 months or five years.

Completely free, web based and private. You can log in and work on your budget wizard anywhere there is an internet connection. Budget Wizard

Latest Debt News

The latest debt related news since the last email.

. Radio 5 Live Debt special

. Unenforceable credit agreements

. How to deal with a loan shark

. Free budget wizard

. SunTalk debt clinic 23rd Dec 2009

. Warning-0% credit card transfers

. Check-out time for the cheque

. UK debt numbers for November

· Log Book loans explained

See the news archive

Future Shows

Radio and television appearances can often be at short notice.

If you are interested in Mike's shows then keep checking the home page for details, homepage.

Quick Links

DebtWizard Budget Form - free

Designed to identify exactly what is going on with your finances. This form is unique with its built in debt predictor. If things look grim you can send it to us for further help.

· Start your own budget form

Radio/television/press

As well as radio and TV, Mike is involved with some of the national newspapers; you will find all these on our media page.

We upload the shows on a regular basis and there are still more to be added over the next few days.

· DebtWizard media page

UK Credit stats for November

1,000 people are seeking some form of formal debt rescheduling every working day.

8.1m cash withdrawals will be made today with a total value of £530m.

In the last 12 months consumers saved an average of £2.98 every day.

· View more credit stats here

Blog & Twitter

Mike is blogging and twittering, just click on either link

· blog · follow Mike on twitter

Top 10 sections on website

1. Bank charges latest updates
2. Budget wizard - free
3. Unenforceable credit agreements
4. Reclaiming bank charges tool
5. Unenforceable credit agreements - firms that help
6. The Limitation Act (Old debts)
7. Six options to getting out of debt
8. Contact
9. Bank charges - RBS & NatWest jumping before being pushed?
10. Who we are

We want to hear your story

If you're happy to share, we have numerous TV stations and newspapers looking for your story.

Have you been made bankrupt? Applied for an IVA? Do you have a horror story about dealing with a lender or company that you owe money? Are you harassed by debt collection agencies?

We are interested in your story, can we help you?