Practical Steps to Consider when in Debt
Debt can feel overwhelming, but taking control of your finances and working towards being debt-free is both possible and empowering. By adopting the right strategies and staying committed, you can regain your financial footing. Here’s a practical guide to help you break free from debt and have peace of mind.
1. Acknowledge and Accept your Situation
The first step to getting out of debt is recognising where you stand financially. It’s easy to ignore bills and mounting debt, but being honest about your current situation is imperative. Gather all your debts—credit cards, loans, overdrafts, and any outstanding payments—and list them down. Understanding the total amount owed will help you make a concrete plan.
Tip: Use a budgeting app or a simple spreadsheet to organise your debts, monthly payments, and interest rates.
2. Create a Spending Plan (Budget)
A spending plan is your roadmap to debt freedom. By controlling your income and expenses, you can allocate money towards paying off debt while maintaining other essential expenses. Identify areas where you can cut back, such as dining out, subscriptions, or unnecessary purchases.
Tip: Follow the 50/30/20 rule—50% of your income goes to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to debt repayment and savings. You can adjust this to focus more on debt, for example, by using 40% for needs, 20% for wants, and 40% towards debts.
3. Consider the Debt Snowball Method
The Debt Snowball Method is a popular approach where you focus on paying off your smallest debts first. This method allows for quick wins and builds momentum. Start by making minimum payments on all debts except the smallest one. Once that’s cleared, move on to the next smallest debt, and so on.
Why it works: Psychologically, paying off smaller debts can provide a sense of accomplishment and help keep you motivated.
4. Alternatively, Try the Debt Avalanche Method
The Debt Avalanche Method focuses on paying off the debt with the highest interest rate first, which can save you more money over time. Once the highest interest debt is paid off, move on to the next highest, while maintaining minimum payments on others.
Why it works: This method is mathematically more efficient, as it reduces the overall amount you’ll pay in interest.
5. Consolidate your Debt
Debt consolidation involves merging multiple debts into a single loan with a lower interest rate. This makes repayments more manageable, with one monthly payment instead of several. Consolidation works best if you can secure a loan with a lower interest rate than your current debts.
Tip: Be cautious when consolidating debts. Ensure that you are disciplined enough not to incur more debt after consolidation.
6. Negotiate with Creditors
You’d be surprised how open creditors can be to negotiation. Contact your creditors and discuss the possibility of lowering interest rates, extending payment periods, or settling for a lower lump sum payment. Many creditors prefer to receive partial payments rather than no payments at all.
Tip: Approach these conversations with confidence, and have a clear understanding of your financial limits before negotiating.
7. Increase your Income, if possible
While cutting back on expenses is important, increasing your income can significantly speed up the debt repayment process. Discuss options with family members, look for side gigs on your off-time, or selling unused items. Extra income can be channelled directly into your debt repayments.
Tip: Be careful not to jeopardise your primary and secure income, whether by losing focus or becoming overly tired. Try to spread the load with family members where possible.
8. Create an Emergency Fund
Even while repaying debt, setting aside money for emergencies is essential. Unexpected expenses like car repairs or medical bills can lead to more debt if you’re unprepared. Aim to build a small emergency fund to cover at least one month’s worth of expenses.
Why it works: An emergency fund acts as a financial buffer, preventing the need for more borrowing.
9. Automate your Payments
Set up automatic payments to avoid missing due dates. Late payments lead to extra fees and can affect your credit score, making future financial endeavours more difficult. Automating payments helps ensure your debt is paid consistently.
Tip: Automate the minimum payments and manually add extra payments when you have more available funds to contribute.
10. Celebrate your Wins
Paying off debt is a significant achievement, and it’s important to acknowledge your progress. Each time you clear a debt or hit a repayment milestone, celebrate it—whether by treating yourself or simply taking pride in how far you’ve come.
Why it works: Positive reinforcement keeps you motivated and focused on the end goal.
Stay focused on your end goal of financial freedom, and don’t hesitate to seek support from LifeAssist if needed. If debt becomes unmanageable, consider speaking to a debt counsellor who can offer guidance tailored to your situation.