What you'll do
- Work out a payment amount you can truly sustain
- Build a plan around your real income and expenses
- Set up the arrangement with us clearly
- Stay on track and adjust if your situation changes
- Find free help to get the figures right
6 min read
Make it realistic, not optimistic
The most common reason payment plans fail is that they are set too high in a hopeful moment. A plan you can actually keep — even if it is modest — beats an ambitious one that falls over in a month. Base it on what is genuinely left after your essentials, with a little room for surprises.
Set your plan step by step
- Add up your income and your essential expenses for a typical period.
- See what is realistically left, and keep a small buffer for the unexpected.
- Choose a payment amount and frequency you can sustain through to the end.
- Contact us through the contact form to set up the arrangement.
- Confirm the amount, frequency and start date, and keep a copy.
- Set a reminder for each payment and review the plan if life changes.
Get the figures right
If you are not sure what is realistic, a free financial counsellor can build a plan with you that protects your essentials — call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007. Our budgeting guide can also help you find the right number before you commit. A sustainable plan is one you will still be comfortable with months from now.
Good to know
- A modest plan you can keep beats an ambitious one that fails in a month.
- Base your payment on what is truly left after essentials, plus a buffer.
- Confirm the amount, frequency and start date, and keep a copy.
- A free financial counsellor (1800 007 007) can help you set the right figure.
FAQ
How do I know what amount is realistic?
Work from your budget — what is left after essentials, minus a small buffer. Our budgeting guide helps, and a free counsellor (1800 007 007) can check it with you.
Can I change the plan later if I need to?
Yes. If your situation changes, get in touch and we can look at adjusting it. It is much better to adjust early than to miss payments.
What if I miss a payment?
Let us know as soon as you can rather than going quiet. We would much rather work it out with you than have you fall behind silently.
Still not sure? Our team is happy to talk it through.