Having debt is not necessarily bad as long as you treat it with respect it will increase your credit score – which is a definite must if you plan on making a large loan to invest in a vehicle or a house. It is possible to get carried away and sometimes due to unforeseen circumstances people need proper debt management to get them out of a potentially sticky situation. Admit that you are financially inept and seeking professional debt management from a financial planner is the first step towards stability. Here are five tips to keep in mind when attempting to improve your financial situation:
• Cut down expenses – this does not necessarily mean no more restaurant nights (treat yourself but be financially conscious). Cut down on the amount of interest you are paying by prioritizing the high interest loans first – by doing this you will save on the amount of expenses you dish out every month.
• Pay more – try and put more than the minimum amount of money required towards your debt – this will help you immensely overtime as you want to get rid of the debt as quick as possible.
• Cut the credit – if you have a problem keeping up with payments you should not buy on credit at all.
• Scheduled payments – if your income schedule does not link up with your payment schedule, see if you can change the payments to suit your income structure. People tend to fall behind on payments due to lack of financial discipline towards the end of the month.
• Ask the pros – a certified financial planner will give you a better perspective on how to manage your debt – this not only helps you follow the most efficient route but also gives you some piece of mind.
If you are seeking financial planning services or more information towards financial planning and debt management, contact me today!