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Credit Card Debts Dragging You Down?

August 23, 2009

in Personal Finance

According to the American Banker’s Association, the average American family carries $8,000 in credit card debt. While a lot of companies claim they can magically make this debt disappear, there’s no substitute for formulating a realistic plan to get it paid off. High interest rates and late fees can complicate matters, so it’s important to make a plan and commit to it. There is no quick fix ? paying down any debt takes time ? but there are several viable options and techniques that can help.

* Prioritize

Make the payment of your credit card debt a priority. Without this basic first step, you will likely find it only too easy to keep running from the situation or accumulate more debt. Unless you address your debt head-on, it will continue to eat away at your family’s budget and even your relationships ? according to PRLog, excessive credit card debt may be a leading cause of divorce.

* Create a family budget

This is not as daunting as it may seem. First, gather the family’s financial records: bank statements, utility bills, etc. Then, list your family’s total monthly income followed by its total monthly expenditures, such as a car payment and mortgage. This way, you will have concrete numbers to work with in regard to your credit card debt.

* Pay the debt with the highest interest rate first

Lay out all your credit card statements in order of highest to lowest interest rate, and focus on paying off the highest interest rate card first. On the highest rate card, pay as much over the minimum payment as you can each month. When that one is paid off, move to the next highest interest rate card.

* Work with the credit card company

Because they are unsecured creditors, credit card companies tend to be willing to negotiate the interest rate or other aspects of your credit agreement. When you explain that your intent is to get your debt paid, most creditors are willing to listen and work with you. When you call, have your household budget and latest credit card statement from that company handy.

* Think outside the box ? do you really need to spend money on that?

What if you can’t find that extra $20 or $100 every month to dedicate to your debt payment? It never hurts to get creative. Go back to your budget and detail all expenditures – even those for which you don’t have a paper trail, such as a daily cup of coffee on your way to work or eating lunch out. Make your coffee at home and bring it to work in a travel mug, and save up to $3 a day ? that’s $60 a month you could put toward paying off a credit card. And that’s just coffee.

Brown bag it for one week a month and save the $10 a day you were spending on lunch out. In one week, that’s another $50 saved. And that waiter or waitress who brings you your lunch might be working to pay off his or her credit card debt ? waiting tables is a viable option for bringing in some extra cash with flexible hours.

Often, we just don’t realize where our money is going. Taking the time to sit down and evaluate just how much we have and where it’s being spent is not magical, but with commitment it can bring relief and eventual freedom from debt.

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Dealing with Financial Stress

April 17, 2009

in Money Management

Stress of any kind can take a toll on our lives and health. But financial stress is particularly bothersome. While cutting corners never hurt anyone, juggling bills and doing without necessities is bad for both our physical and mental health.

Excessive stress can contribute to a number of health problems, including depression, anxiety and insomnia. If that weren’t enough, financial problems may prevent sufferers from getting proper treatment. This allows the condition to worsen, and that can lead to even more health problems.

Those who are under financial stress often feel a sense of hopelessness. They may beat themselves up mentally for allowing things to spiral out of control. But that frame of mind can only make things worse. Putting your energy toward getting out of debt is much more productive. Here are some things you can do to prevent or reduce financial stress:

* Make a budget and stick to it. Start out with bills and necessities such as food and transportation. Put aside some money for unexpected expenses such as medical bills and car repairs, and reserve a small amount for entertainment. Put all of the money that is left over toward paying off your debts, starting with the one with the highest interest rate.

* Become a penny pincher. Scour the sale papers for the best deals on groceries and other necessities, and seek out coupons for the things you buy. Join the frequent shopper club at every store you visit to take advantage of special deals.

* Learn to have fun without spending a lot of money. Instead of going out to dinner and a movie, eat in and rent a DVD to watch with your spouse or family. Check your local paper for free events such as concerts. Rediscover the simple (and free) pleasures in life, such as taking a walk around the block and throwing a frisbee in the back yard with the kids.

* Keep your credit cards out of sight and out of mind. Avoid using them except in the case of a true emergency, where there is no other option.

Getting Help

When financial stress is too much to bear, it’s important to get help. Simply talking to a trusted friend or family member will allow you to get some things off your chest. If you don’t have anyone to talk to, consider joining a support group or getting counseling. Your local mental health authority can help you find counseling that you can afford.

If budgeting is your problem, credit counseling could be the answer. Credit counseling agencies will often help you set up a budget and learn effective money management for free. If that doesn’t solve your problems, your counselor might be able to set up a debt management plan for you. This involves negotiating lower payments and interest rates on unsecured debt, allowing you to pay it off more quickly and still have money left over each month.

Financial stress can be devastating for you and your family. Learning to cope and taking control of your finances can help you get your life back on track.

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