Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Five Ways To Stay Debt-Free

So if the bills/debt are building up, you're living paycheck to paycheck, and there is no relief in sight, follow this advice to dig yourself out - one debt at a time.
1. Pay more than the minimum - Many loans are set up so that the minimum payment goes mostly toward the interest. If you can afford it, triple up on those minimum payments. Ex. "if you have $10,000 in credit card debt, u r probably paying 15% in interest, and make minimum payments, it will take 25 years to pay off that debt". You don't want to be a slave to credit card companies. Good Book: Zero Debt for College Grads author Lynnette Khalfani.
2. Create a credit card payment strategy - One place to start, after making a budget, is to pay off the card with the lowest balance first. If you make a few sacrifies, like skipping happy hour or making one less $200 purchase (think gadgets and shoes) per month, those savings can be applied toward the debt. The same strategy works with lines of credit and personal loans, too. To fight temptation, opt-out of receiving mail-order credit card solicitations by calling 888-5-OPTOUT.
3. Stop spending - NOW!! - As you pay off your credit cards, don't cancel them. Instead, take all of the credit cards out of your wallet and put them in a jar half full with water. Put jar in the freezer. The idea is to keep the cards out of your pockets and limit impulse shopping. Also, by putting it in the freezer it is not in your pocket, but you have it in a safe place in case you need it in an emergency. While your cards are put away, negotiate with creditors to get better rates. You have to be in good standing to get the most out of this deal, which means continuing to pay your bills on time.
4. Shop for better rates - When you get a great opportunity for a lower interest rate, go for it. Instead of the 14% or 22% interest rate you're currently paying, you can transfer to a card that offers you a 6% or 9% rate to save hundreds or thousands over the course of the year. Shop for better rates and take advantage of offers provided by bank, credit union, or other lending institutions that offer low rates for transfer. But don't bounce around to much because doing so results in too many credit inquiries, which can lower your credit score. Also consider debt consolidation, which is taking several debts and converting them into one monthly payment.
5. Manage your own finances - Whether sharing finances or flying solo, you should always know three things about your debt: (I) How much you have (II) How much it's costing you, and (III) How to deal with it. If you don't, it will always cost more than you think and take even longer to pay off. The debt may not go away overnight, but with discipline and by following these few steps, it will shrink a lot sooner.

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