Eliminating debt is not easy, especially when you have no plan or idea of what your course of action should be. Below are some tips that you can use to help yourself out of debt.
Evaluate your debts
Collect all of your credit card and loan statements. Make a list of how much you owe each creditor, and what the interest rate is. Arrange your list with the highest interest debts on top. These are the bills you want to pay-off first.
Paying high interest fees is like throwing money into the winda waste!
**All mortgages and car loans should be at the bottom of your list. These loans have longer terms and lower interest rates than most other credit and loan types.
Obtain a copy of your credit report
Your best bet is to buy a 3-in-1 credit report. This type of report is the most comprehensive available, listing your information as reported by all three major credit reporting agencies. This will allow you to determine if there are any debts out there that you are unaware of. Also, you will be able to spot any delinquent or overdue accounts that need to become current. In addition, your credit report will identify any misinformation, including errors and/or outdated information.
Free 'get-out-of-debt' calculator -- use this free online tool to visualize your potential savings by paying off high-interest debt early.
Figure out what your budget is
Since you have a total of what you owe, you will need to calculate what you can afford every month as your payments towards your debt. To do this, determine what your income after taxes salary is. Then you will need to total all of your expenses including your day-to-day living costs like gas, food, etc.. Subtract all of these expenses from your net income. The result is the total amount you can afford to make towards monthly debt payments.
Put together a payment schedule
Since you have successfully analyzed your debt and computed what you can afford to contribute as payments towards your debt every month, you will now need to create a payment schedule. Check out the example belowand then use your own numbers.
- Monthly net salary (income after taxes) $4,500
- Minimum required debt payments - $1,500
- Monthly expenses/cost of living - $1000
- Available amount for paying off debt: $2000
This formula should be used every month until your debt is eliminated. As mentioned, pay the debts with the highest interest rates first.
Negotiate with your creditors
You should contact your creditors and try to have them give you more favorable rates and terms. It is very likely that they will lower your interest rates and even reduce the total amount that you owe! There is absolutely no harm in asking!
Transfer high interest credit cards to one with a lower rate
Research different credit card offers. It is very probable that you will be able to find a card that not only has lower interest rates, but also a 0% introductory for 6-12 months. This means that not only will you be saving money by paying a lower interest rate on your debt, you won't have to pay any interest for the first 6-12 months of card membership!
Homeowners should take advantage of the equity in their home
There are a wide variety of mortgage products that are designed to help homeowners eliminate their debt. For example, you can utilize cash-out refinancing. This means, you refinance your existing mortgage for more than you owe. The additional cash received is to be used for paying debt. Or, apply for an equity loan. This type of loan allows you to borrow against the value of your home.
Be consistent
In order to accomplish your goals, you need to stick to your plan! It is OK to not make your expected payment for a month or so, but anything more is going to be detrimental.
It takes a strong mind and intense commitment to get rid of your debt on your own. However, it is very rewarding mentally and monetarily! Why pay someone else to do something you can accomplish on your own!
While using this do-it-yourself debt eliminating strategy, try and not incur any additional debts!
