Five Easy Steps to Achieve Debt Relief
Do you want to pay off your debt? The only difference between you and debt relief is your action. Yes, if you want to become a debt free person, you have to straighten up your act. You need to give up your bad financial habits to enjoy financial stability.
If you’re not sure where to begin, here a few tips to help you get started!
Quick Budget
You can call it the”Money List” or Quick Budget, whatever you want. Before you get yourself out of debt, you have to understand your financial situation. It will take an hour or so but will help to achieve a better understanding of your current condition. You need to follow these steps to create a money list
- Include every expense
- How much every entry costs you on monthly basis
- Minus your expenses from your income
If your remaining balance is in negative instead of positive, then you have to cut corners on your regular expenses. Or, find a way to increase your income.
Note All Your Debts from Lowest to Highest
Note down all your debts from lowest to highest. This may seem a daunting task, but it’s crucial. You need to realize how deep you are in this mess before you start pulling yourself out.
As you start recognizing the damage you have already done, it will be incentive to keep it from happening again. It’s your first step in the right direction to a stable financial future.
Cut Corners
You have to see how much money you can squeeze from the money list. You need to divert more resources to pay off your debt. Fortunately, you shouldn’t have to make any big lifestyle changes. It’s unlikely you’ll need to swap your flat for a hut, or your car for a bicycle.
You can achieve that by making many small changes. That latte you’ve been having every day? Swap it out for a cheaper flavored coffee. Can’t give up your weekly movie addiction? Go to a weekend matinee instead of a full-price evening show.
You’re not going without. Just making more conscious choices.
Minimum Payment
You need to pay more than the minimum amount needed for every debt. Paying only the minimum makes the lender happy because they collect a ton of interest. But it keeps the bill lingering for many years. Allocate whatever you can manage to pay a little extra each month.
You might want to allocate all of your extra money towards a small debt and get it paid off quickly. Dealing with small ones first can trigger a happy reaction and prompt you to do even better. You will feel encouraged and will continue to pay off your debt and be on your way to becoming completely debt free.
Automate Payments
Late payments incur huge late fees, which only serves to extend the debt longer. Put your bills on auto pay so they’re paid promptly each month.
It helps you keep up with your plan, and pay back your debts in time. So, you keep your mind free and build confidence with your lenders.