大象传媒

One of the UK's largest debt charities says one in three people in severe debt has a sub-prime credit card. They're credit cards with interest rates of 30 percent or more.

says vulnerable people are getting caught in a vicious circle of debt . With their help, the 大象传媒's Smart Consumer podcast has these tips on how to avoid getting into debt:

The charity says knowing what you're signing up for is crucial when you take out a credit card.

You should try and pay the balance off in full each month so you shouldn’t get charged unmanageable rates of interest. If you can't do that, you should work out how much interest you'd end up paying.

also say that when you take out the card you should refuse automatic credit limit increases. That way you can keep control over the credit limit.

If you're thinking about taking out a credit card, have a real think about how good you are at budgeting. If you're struggling to keep track of what you spend - you could think about using an app on your phone to monitor that.

If you already have a credit card, think about what you're using it for. You could be eligible for some help if you're using it for essential bills.

Iona Bain, from the says 'maybe you haven't quite got your benefit entitlements that you need, if so, you need to speak to your local , or you need to contact organisations that will help you figure that out.'

Stick to your credit card limit

If you exceed your limit, further charges and interest start creeping up. The fact the limit has been exceeded may also be recorded on a credit file, which could make it harder to get further credit in future.

If your normal disposable income won’t cover your debts, you might want to look at ways you can increase your income in the short term.

There are loads of ways to make a few extra pounds, such as by selling unwanted possessions, using cashback websites or taking on extra hours at work.

There are many ways to save money, and anything you save can be put towards those debt repayments.

It could be as simple as switching to a cheaper supermarket or taking shorter journeys on foot rather than by car or bus.

You could try and put a small amount away each month, every little adds up.

If you try these things and nothing helps, that could be a sign that you need debt advice.

say that if you have any of the following, you should consider speaking to a money adviser:

• More money going out than coming in
• Not enough disposable income to cover your minimum debt repayments
• Arrears on any of your ‘priority’ household bills such as mortgage, rent, council tax or utilities

If you're spiralling into debt, and you suffer from poor mental health - you should contact your GP. They can fill out what's called a 'Debt and Mental Health Evidence Form.'

It can be shared with your creditors so they can allow you more time for repayment or periods of non-payment, or even writing them off in full.