Managing your debt

If you are experiencing financial difficulty, there are steps you can take to deal with the situation. First, you should carry out a thorough review of your financial circumstances. You can do this by:

  • Using the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s free budget planner 
  • Getting information and advice from MABS, the Money Advice and Budgeting Service
  • Checking if you have insurance such as payment protection insurance which would allow you to make a claim

Then call us with the details of your finances on 0818 211 555 and we’ll discuss the options available to you.

How can I reduce my spending?

The best way to cut your spending is to create a budget. As most bills are paid monthly, work out how much you earn each month and then how much you spend in a month. 

The following tips can help you to reduce non-essential spending:

  • Set up direct debits so you don’t forget to make regular payments
  • Review your service providers to see if you can reduce bills such as electricity or gas
  • Set aside money for expected and unexpected expenses such as medical bills
  • Draw up a shopping and stick to it and avoid additional top-up shops during the week
  • Cut out impulse purchases
  • Save for occasional treats like holidays

What resources are available to help me reduce my spending?

Websites such as consumerhelp.ie offer a free comparison service on household bills like gas, electricity, phone, broadband and mortgage and may help reduce expenditure.

If you would like us to help you review your financial situation, use our Income and Expenditure form. Just print, complete and return it to us at: An Post Money Customer Assistance Team, PO Box 25, Dublin Road, Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim.

How can I reduce what I already owe?

Once your monthly budget is in place and you start reducing your expenditure, contact your lenders and creditors. We can help you tackle your debts so ensure you contact us to let us know you are in difficulty.

If I owe money what charges may apply?

You will be charged a €10 fee if your loan account falls into arrears.

This will apply each time your monthly repayment does not reach your loan account in cleared funds by the payment date. We will add this default charge directly to your account.

You may be charged the following fees if you miss a payment on your credit card:

  • Late fee of €15.24 each time your minimum payment does not reach your account in cleared funds by payment due date. Your minimum payment must be cleared in your account before this date to comply with your Avant Money agreement. Accounts with payments received after the due date shown on your statement are subject to late fees.
  • Over-limit fee of €12.70 will be charged if your account has exceeded its credit limit at any time during that statement period.  This is a once-off fee during a statement period.
  • Returned payment fee of €19.05 will be charged each time we return a direct debit or another item for payment into your account.