There are number of people out there telling you how to pay
off your debt. In short finances are a very individual thing.
While there are few guidelines you should follow, remember that
not everything works for everyone. You have to take a look at
your personal spending habits and reasons before you are able
to make a debt repayment plan
that works for you.
For majority of people, it takes a combination of different methods to find a formula for success. Getting out of debt is a wonderful objective, but you have to work hard to accomplish it. Large chunk of people are in a rush to get out of debt. And believe me desperation leads to mistakes. More often than not these mistakes can just end up costing you more in the long run.
In theory, there are a few methods that you should avoid. While they work for some people, most people are only at an increased financial risk by trying them out.
Thats why many experts will tell you to go ahead and take out a home equity
line of credit or loan to pay off your credit card debt. This
holds true especially if they are trying to get you to borrow
the money from them!
Credit card debt can be termed as unsecured debt. Because of this simple reason the interest rates are so high. Furthermore there are no assets that can be taken if you fail to pay what you owe. Fact remained that they can't take your car, your home or your belongings. Things won't be repossessed -- like in the movies.
A mortgage, equity loan or line of credit can be defined as a secured debt. In case if you don't pay it, you will lose your home. On the other hand if you lose your job, divorce, become ill or have a death in the family, you can lose your home. With the credit cards, you will still have a place to live in.
It is quite important that you should also avoid using a 401(k) loan to pay off your credit card debt. I know that all you want to do is get out of debt but think before you act.
Theoretically speaking there are severe tax consequences that come along with
using your 401(k) before it is time. In addition your contributions
to your 401(k) are not taxed when you make them. Therefore when
you pay back your 401(k) loan, you are using after-tax money.
I know that you are normally paying yourself back with interest,
but you are still losing money.
According to experts when you take the money out for retirement, you will absolutely be taxed for it again. As it was taxed when it when in, you are being taxed once. It cannot be termed as a great financial move.
Thats why if you get into money trouble (which you are having after all) and can't pay it back and take a withdrawal -- oh, you lose out big time.
Due to all this don't use your home or your retirement as a way to bail yourself out of debt. It is advisable that you think before you choose a way to eliminate your debt. Remember that the tried and true is always your best bet. Frame a budget, spend less, pay more on your debt, negotiate with your lenders and work hard.
It is of paramount importance to develop a reasonable repayment plan if you ever intend to pay off your outstanding debt. Majority of people do not even want to think about the repayment plan, because it involves looking at income and balances owed and establishing a budget to live within, none of which is very fun. Though, the repayment plan can give you a sense of ownership over your debt, empowering you to take the steps necessary to get yourself out from under your debt. In simple terms, the repayment plan is both the light at the end of the tunnel and the train taking you through to that light.
Why have a repayment plan:
Majority of people do not want to think about the extent of their debt or the nature of their repayment plan. They just figure that they will pay what they can each month and then the debt will eventually be paid off. Though, without a repayment plan, the debt never seems to go away. Believe me this can be overwhelming and discouraging, leading to increased debt, rather than reduced problems. There is no denying that a repayment plan will make the debt more organized, easier to control and less of a strain on the emotional resources of the person who owes the money. This sense of empowerment is the main reason that a repayment plan helps those who take the steps necessary to paying back debt.
Starting the repayment plan:
The toughest part of the repayment plan is the starting of it. Collecting up the will and energy to begin the repayment plan can be difficult. Though, once you have made the commitment to start the repayment plan, you are well on your way to ridding yourself of your debt.
In order to start the repayment plan, you certainly required to do some research
into your own personal credit history. The initial step in the
repayment plan is to contact each of the three credit reporting
agencies and to obtain a free credit report from each of them.
You will go over this credit report, minimizing any errors with
the agencies, at the beginning of your repayment plan. The credit
report will clearly depict how much money you owe to each lender.
You will then have to contact each lender and verify the amount
owed as well as the interest rate on the loan. In addition you
should also find out your credit limit on each of your credit
cards. The main key to the repayment plan is organization of
all of this information.
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