Debt for many is like a beast that refuses to go away no matter how much you try to escape it. It can completely bring down your entire lifestyle and force you to do things that you never would have done. Your personal financial situation can be drastically changed at the face of mounting debt. During these times of economic slump, you should focus upon lowering and getting rid of your debt as soon as possible.
There are many advertisements on the Internet about people who can make your debt go away just like that. Never fall for these scams. It is very important that you take matters in to your own hands and stay informed. These people often have 'counselors' who sound like doomsday prophets. They will give you blown up figures and tell you very gravely that you need two life times to repay your debt. But they can help you pay it off in two years. Don't listen to them and don't believe them for a single moment.
If your debt situation is out of control, you can look into a method called Debt Consolidation. The idea behind debt consolidation is simple. You consolidate or gather up your total debt and start making one single large payment every month. You should not do this through unknown institutions that want to 'help you out'. You also should not opt for balance transfers to other institutions who send you free checks for money. They will not keep their promise of low interest.
Instead, you should take out a home equity loan or personal loan to pay off the multiple small debts that you have. However, before you take this step, sit down with a calculator and calculate how much time and money you will be spending in paying off the debt at your current pace. Then you have to calculate how much loan you will need to pay off the debt faster. Then you have to compare to see which one costs you more time and money.
Debt consolidation has multiple benefits. Instead of paying multiple interest rates, you are paying only one interest rate. You do not have to keep track of multiple deadlines and rules. So the chances of late fees and calculation errors are fewer. It is much easier to keep track of a single monthly payment with one fixed/floating rate. Multiple interest rates usually mean that you are paying a higher interest rate than you have to. If a time comes when you realize that you are no longer paying the principle but only the interest, it may be time to consolidate your debt.
You can also reduce the number of payments through debt settlement. Banks will often agree to accept a lower amount in lieu of the debt if your account has a lot of late fees and interest piled up in it. This way you can pay off your debts one by one and reclaim your financial independence.
By: Gen Wright