Citizens Advice is expecting 300 people to seek advice for debt concerns across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly this month.

Citizens Advice Cornwall is sharing tips to help people get their finances in order.

• Make a list of whom you owe money to and add up how much you need to pay each month.

• Prioritise debts - rent, mortgage, energy and council tax are priority debts as there can be serious consequences if you don’t pay them. These should always be paid first.

• Work out how much you can pay - add up essential living costs, such as food and housing, and deduct from your income. Any money spare can be put towards debts. Citizens Advice budgeting tool can help.

• Pay urgent debts - you might have to contact priority creditors quickly in urgent situations, like if you are about to be evicted. Tell them you’re seeking debt advice so you can find a way forward. You could try to pay them something if you can afford to.

• Paying non-urgent debts - If you have any money left after paying priority debts, consider getting a free debt-management plan. You’ll make one monthly payment to the plan provider, who will handle paying your creditors. Or contact your creditors and offer them what you can afford to pay.

• If you’ve got little or no money to pay your priority debts seek advice from Citizens Advice straight away.

Call 03444 111444 or text the word DEBT to 78866.