Image Credit: Money Gizmo
If you are struggling with debt, you are not alone.
Blame it on lifestyle or just very poor judgment, but debt is one stress that is very damaging to one’s health and life. Debt won’t go away on its own; the sooner you face up to your situation, the better it will be. Here are some tips for those dealing with financial woes.
Face Facts
The first step is to work out how much you’re in debt and review the extent of your financial problems. List down everything according to importance and track down misplaced paperwork or bills you’ve been ignoring. Let’s get cracking!
What are the top-priority risks? – the one that puts your home on the line, including mortgage and utilities. Next, your credit cards and loans. Make a list of how much you owe each company and the interest rates if any. Once you’ve compiled all these information, you can start to prioritise your debts.
Budget Wisely
Develop a budget and stick to it. Write down all your income and expenditure, and then identify how much you can afford to spare on debt repayment each month. The online calculator by Credit Counselling And Debt Management (AKPK) can help you assess this. It may seem like you need to pay a mountain of money to the creditors but the key is to get started on something and work your way through your debts.
Contact The Creditors
The first natural instinct is to run away from the people/institutions you owe money from. Well, time to do the opposite. Banks preferred to be alerted early when you are having a hard time with payments. This is to ensure that both parties can work out an acceptable solution that is also manageable. Requests to vary repayment can be negotiated for a temporary period and it will work to your benefit if you can support with relevant documents as proof of your financial position.
It is important to live within your means and resist buying on impulse. Create a spending plan based on your budget, and see where you can reduce or cut out on expenses. Spending should be allowed only for essential expenses like housing, health care and utilities.
Accept the fact that life has to be bit tighter till you get back on your feet. For the spending plan to work, you need to make the necessary lifestyle changes and stick to it.
Cards Issue
Most people get into debts because of credit cards. Do not commit to any more cards until your cash flow is in order. If you do not have the discipline to control your spending with the cards, cancel all credit cards immediately. If you insist on keeping the cards, always pay the full amount each month to avoid interest charges. When not possible, aim to pay more than just the minimum sum to reduce the outstanding balance faster and save on interest.
Seek Advice
Getting professional advice will guide you in the right direction to get your debts in line. The Debt Management Programme by AKPK assist by consolidating all your debts including outstanding credit cards and personal loan under a single order.
As the middleman, they will work out an amount for you to repay banks and inform them that you are under the DMP. Once an agreement is reached, you will have to pay a lump sum to AKPK every month and they will disseminate the money to the creditors accordingly. With this programme, debt repayment becomes more manageable but you must be prompt. The only thing is that you can’t apply for loans or new credit cards in the future.
For more information on debt management, click this link. To know more about AKPK and its services, visit the website here.
If you are struggling with debt, you are not alone.
Blame it on lifestyle or just very poor judgment, but debt is one stress that is very damaging to one’s health and life. Debt won’t go away on its own; the sooner you face up to your situation, the better it will be. Here are some tips for those dealing with financial woes.
Face Facts
The first step is to work out how much you’re in debt and review the extent of your financial problems. List down everything according to importance and track down misplaced paperwork or bills you’ve been ignoring. Let’s get cracking!
What are the top-priority risks? – the one that puts your home on the line, including mortgage and utilities. Next, your credit cards and loans. Make a list of how much you owe each company and the interest rates if any. Once you’ve compiled all these information, you can start to prioritise your debts.
Budget Wisely
Develop a budget and stick to it. Write down all your income and expenditure, and then identify how much you can afford to spare on debt repayment each month. The online calculator by Credit Counselling And Debt Management (AKPK) can help you assess this. It may seem like you need to pay a mountain of money to the creditors but the key is to get started on something and work your way through your debts.
Contact The Creditors
The first natural instinct is to run away from the people/institutions you owe money from. Well, time to do the opposite. Banks preferred to be alerted early when you are having a hard time with payments. This is to ensure that both parties can work out an acceptable solution that is also manageable. Requests to vary repayment can be negotiated for a temporary period and it will work to your benefit if you can support with relevant documents as proof of your financial position.
It is important to live within your means and resist buying on impulse. Create a spending plan based on your budget, and see where you can reduce or cut out on expenses. Spending should be allowed only for essential expenses like housing, health care and utilities.
Accept the fact that life has to be bit tighter till you get back on your feet. For the spending plan to work, you need to make the necessary lifestyle changes and stick to it.
Cards Issue
Most people get into debts because of credit cards. Do not commit to any more cards until your cash flow is in order. If you do not have the discipline to control your spending with the cards, cancel all credit cards immediately. If you insist on keeping the cards, always pay the full amount each month to avoid interest charges. When not possible, aim to pay more than just the minimum sum to reduce the outstanding balance faster and save on interest.
Seek Advice
Getting professional advice will guide you in the right direction to get your debts in line. The Debt Management Programme by AKPK assist by consolidating all your debts including outstanding credit cards and personal loan under a single order.
As the middleman, they will work out an amount for you to repay banks and inform them that you are under the DMP. Once an agreement is reached, you will have to pay a lump sum to AKPK every month and they will disseminate the money to the creditors accordingly. With this programme, debt repayment becomes more manageable but you must be prompt. The only thing is that you can’t apply for loans or new credit cards in the future.
For more information on debt management, click this link. To know more about AKPK and its services, visit the website here.