Dealing with debt?
Money troubles aren’t just limited to your bank account, they have a tendency to creep into your life and home. How? Financial worries are one of the leading causes of mental health issues such as depression, stress and anxiety.
With the increasing cost of living, inflation, and a looming recession fear, debt has become extremely commonplace. However, if you are looking for ways to ditch debt, then this guide is for you.
5 Tips to Deal with Debt for Good
1. Choose the Best Strategy to Pay Off the Debt
The best way to deal with a problem is to face it head-on. Begin by making a list of all your debts, from store credit to mortgage, car finance, and even the £150 payday loan that you might have taken out to last the few days until your next paycheck. Write down the interest rate and the remaining repayment tenure. This information will help you decide on the best strategy to pay off the debt.
Snowball Method
In this method, you start by paying off the smallest loan amount as fast as possible. For example, if you have three loans of £1,560, £10,000 and £972, after making the minimum repayment for all three, you pay any residual amount towards the third loan so that it closes faster. This helps you stay motivated on the debt repayment journey, and you can have the small wins recorded much faster.
Avalanche Method
With this method, you make the minimum payment for all your outstanding debts, but then pay any extra amount towards the loan with the highest interest rate. If you have three loans with interest rates of 10%, 18%, and 12%, for instance, you will pay off the second loan before the others, regardless of the loan value. This will help you pay off the debt and improve your credit score in the long run.
2. Get a Balance Transfer Card
Balance transfer cards are a great way to ditch debt faster. If your credit card company charges you a steep interest rate, you can transfer the outstanding balance to a 0% interest rate credit card. Only the transferred amount is calculated at the nominal rate; anything you charge on the card later will be charged at the usual rate. So, it is best to transfer the due money and then refrain from spending.
3. Cut Unnecessary Costs
Sometimes, when you’re dealing with debt, a single income source doesn’t suffice, especially in the current economy. So, to regain your financial health, start creating more opportunities to increase your income. You can start a side hustle or freelancing to supplement your income.
Another great way to get rid of debt and stay out of it is to track your expenses. You may not realise it, but in the long run, you end up spending hundreds of pounds on things that you dont really need. Cutting these costs can help you save more and get you through your debt cycle.
4. Create and Follow a Budget
To avoid unnecessary spending, you must have a budget in place. Your budget should include necessary expenses like groceries, rent and utilities as well as expenses that you don’t really need, like shopping.
Last but not least are the costs that might seem like a luxury, such as travelling overseas. These expenses are to be set aside until you are out of debt, have built an emergency fund, or have invested some amount towards your future.
5. Pay Using Cash
Technology has made our life easier and banks are constantly updating their services to accommodate ease of usage. Now, with options like Apple Pay and credit cards, buying has become easier than before.
In the past, you needed cash to pay for your groceries when you went to the grocery store. This made you mindful of the things you were buying. At present, you can either scan and pay or swipe your credit card to pay for your purchases.
This is why, to limit overspending, it’s best to uninstall payment wallets, leave behind your cards at home, and just walk in with your budget allowance in cash.
Another great tip is to remove your card details from all online stores. So, even if you do add things to the cart while lounging on the couch, you cannot actually make a purchase because your card details are missing.
Summary
Debt in a manageable amount is good for your credit score and your finances. However, when it comes to unmanageable debt, things can go from bad to worse in moments. To prevent such financial catastrophe, it is important to be aware of your income and expenses and proactively act towards paying off your dues.
Being mindful and strategic with your spending can prevent you from going broke while enjoying your life, not just in the present but also making provisions for your old age.