Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
Debt can be overwhelming when weighing in between student loans, credit card payments, mortgage payments, and car payments. The sooner you start a strategic plan to get rid of debt, the more effective it will be. If you’re not sure where to start paying off your debt, it’s helpful to first get organized and figure out what you owe. If your budget doesn’t allow for any more than minimum payments, begin there before gradually working your way up.
Although there is no shortcut to debt relief, adhering to a repayment plan can be beneficial by offering insight into your financial situation. If you have multiple accounts that are part of your debt, start by creating a list to estimate the exact amount you owe. The process of paying off your debt may be a lengthy one, but the earlier you start, the greater your advantage will be. It’s important to include any debt you have on personal loans, credit cards, auto loans, or student loans. Identify what is the most important thing to pay off first.
Creditors and lenders may lower your interest rate if you are in good standing, have paid on time, or have made very few late payments. You also have the option to take out a balance transfer card that could lower your rate. You can also consider refinancing your auto loans, mortgage, student loans, or personal loans to accelerate your debt repayment at a lower interest rate.
When working to pay off your debt, make an effort to reduce your expenses as much as possible. Using a 50/30/20 budget rule can be a helpful method for keeping your spending in check. The majority of your income which should be 50% should go towards necessities like rent, food, transportation, utilities, or insurance. Put 30% of your income towards personal expenses, like paying your phone bill or going on a weekend trip with friends. It may be a good idea to reduce your desires to allocate more money towards your debt. Dedicate at least 20% of your income to saving and debt payments that are more than the minimum monthly payments required. Begin as early as you can and maintain a consistent pace.
Setting up an emergency fund is also a good idea when dealing with debt. In order to stay on track with your repayment plan, make sure to allocate an emergency fund that you can use for unexpected costs. Make sure to save a minimum of three to six months’ worth of living expenses in your fund ahead of time. We believe these are the best balance transfer credit cards if you are struggling with debt.
Leave a Reply