Total personal debt in the UK currently stands at approximately 1.1 trillion and it is rising all the time.

It's easy to see how the UK debt problem has got so bad you can tell by the amount of offers dropping through your letter box every day how easy it is to get credit. And if the offers seem too good to be true, they quite often are.

Lots of credit cards make a big deal out of their 0% interest rate but they make much less of the fact that it only applies for a short while, after which you could be paying more interest than is good for your bank balance.

And while store cards are gaining in popularity, their interest rates are almost always higher than any credit card on the market.

Rising personal debt puts you in a catch 22 situation where the bigger your debt, the bigger the amount of interest you pay so the less you have to pay off the debt so the debt gets bigger.

And if you think you are controlling your debt by simply paying the minimum amount on your card every month, you're sadly mistaken. You will be caught in the vicious cycle for years this way.

Multiple debts not only mean more of a drain on your finances, they also mean more hassle with paying bills and dealing with problems. So consolidation loans can seem attractive.

But while having just one loan instead of lots seems favourable, you could end up paying more interest in the long run or have worse terms for your debt. Also, too many people consolidate, then fail to resist the temptation of borrowing more from other sources.

There are some basic rules you can follow if you are having trouble with debt. They won't solve your problems instantly but they will put you on the right path to becoming free of debt:

Stay Calm Panicking won't solve anything and could force you into bad decisions.

Be Honest If you have a problem, face up to it. Don't go into denial because you will be delaying the inevitable and making your situation worse.

Forgive Yourself So you've got yourself into a hole. Don't be embarrassed just move on to the next step of digging yourself out.

Take Action Don't let your debt build up further. Make regular payments on your cards and don't stick to the minimums pay as much as you can afford.

Consider All Options Don't just jump into debt consolidation or any other option without working out whether it is viable.

Talk To Your Creditors If you are having problems, let the companies know and you can try to work out a solution together. They will be more understanding than you might think.

Sort Out Your Priorities Pay off the debts with the highest interest first for obvious reasons.

Get Professional Help Take advantage of a free consultation from a debt counsellor. They will be able to advise you on what's best for your situation.