New research by CreditExpert.co.uk shows that one in five Britons are keeping their money worries secret from their partners – up to £30bn worth of hidden debt.

And it’s not just undisclosed debt; 3.2 million of Britons currently in a relationship admit to having a ‘secret’ bank account that they keep from their other half.

Thirteen per cent do not own up to their current partner about the amount of credit or store cards they hold and 15% of British adults currently in a relationship keep information about their bonus or level of earnings from their partner.

Shame and embarrassment appear to be the main reasons for people holding back about financial matters with one in ten admitting they are ashamed of the state of their finances.

Darryl Bowman, director of CreditExpert.co.uk, says: “Couples should be honest about money, particularly if you are already financially linked and if you plan to have joint accounts in the future.”

If you are ashamed of your finances and don't know where to turn, talk to a broker. It might be hard talking to your partner, but talking to an impartial professional might make things a lot easier and a lot clearer. You also probably have less to worry about than you think – a good adviser will do all they can to source the best financial options for you, and your partner.

SOURCE: CreditExpert, 25/02/09

To keep up with the latest news and comments on current financial affairs please visit the Secured Loan Blog.

If you have come into the New Year with debts all over the place your resolution must be to clean up your finances and become debt free.

The year ahead isn’t going to be kind to those with debts – credit card rates will not fall, neither will personal loans. And mortgages will not suddenly become a whole lot cheaper. And refinancing will continue to be as hard as it was in 2008 – the credit ‘merry-go-round’ is over and the only option is to get rid of debt, not amass it.

And what is the best way to get rid of debt as quickly as possible? Consolidation. By taking all your smaller debts – your credit cards, your loans and your store cards – and turning them all into one debt, you save money. You will only have one repayment rate, one bill at the end of the month and one mountain to climb, not five or fifty debt mountains.

The very best source for consolidation is your home’s equity. Using this in the form of a secured loan will allow you to say goodbye to all your debts in a safe way – the money is attached to your home, so the rate is lower and you have security on your side.

So make your resolution to become debt free in 2009. It won’t be a quick fix, and it will take work, but it needs to be done, and it can be done.

To keep up with the latest news and comments on current financial affairs please visit the Secured Loan Blog.

Its a daunting proposition, you have poor credit and it seems there is nowhere to turn, everything is closing in around you and no one can help. Well you can help yourself by using the equity in your property to apply for a poor credit secured loan. A poor credit secured loan can be used by those with poor credit to get them out of trouble and to improve any financial situation. This may not sound logical to you, taking out another debt to help with your current debts, but it is a viable option with the help of an adviser and the right loan.

Read more about the Poor Credit Secured Loan

If you have decided that a bad credit secured loan is for you, then there are plenty of things to consider before signing on the dotted line. This feature uncovers the truth about bad credit secured loans. Because although the advantages of this type of product are plentiful, they come with a health warning and shouldn’t be entered into lightly. This feature explains frankly whether a bad credit secured loan is for you – and if it is, how to go about getting one.

Learn more abouth the Bad Credit Secured Loan