High-interest debt suffocates the rest of your finances. It keeps you from achieving other financial goals and can be a mental burden. Believe it or not, it’s possible to eradicate debt for good, but it does take discernment. Key to discernment is a plan as it allows you to avoid missteps along the way. Here are the top 12 mistakes to avoid on your debt repayment journey.
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Using a Paycheck Advance App
Cash advance apps are tempting, but they should be avoided at all costs, especially when you’re trying to dig yourself out of debt. While they may not feel as grimy as their seedy counterparts – payday loan stores, they’re just as bad. Instead, make a simple budget and live by it to stay within your means and avoid needing an advance in the first place.
All paycheck advances do is trap you in a further cycle of debt.
Not Having a Plan
Getting into debt doesn’t occur overnight. A plan is often necessary to attack the indebtedness. Write down all of your obligations, interest rates on each, and due dates.
Consult your budget and identify what you can afford to pay over the minimum payments. Doing this will ensure success.
Not Changing Your Spending Habits
In many cases it’s overspending that leads to consumer debt. If you want to achieve freedom, changing those habits are needed.
Track your spending for a month and identify what purchases brought you minimal value. Then, cut the expense. Doing this instantly allows you to begin to break the cycle.
Not Transferring Your Balance to a Better Credit Card
Credit cards are notorious for high interest rates. The average rate is over 20 percent. However, you may be able to use a balance transfer credit card to lower that rate.
Many balance transfer credit cards offer a zero percent rate for up to 18 months. This lets you focus solely on the principal. If you can pay it off within the given introductory period you can save loads in interest.
Borrowing From Your 401(k)
When you want debt freedom and have money in your retirement account, it’s tempting to use it to apply to your debt. Don’t do it.
You will likely incur a significant tax hit. You may also sacrifice matching funds from your employer. That’s not to mention hindering your retirement savings.
Not Getting Help When You Need it
Paying off high-interest debt can be incredibly burdensome. Shame may drive you to tackle it on your own. Unfortunately, that often makes the situation worse.
Seek out a dear friend who can be a support to you. Don’t overlook using a trusted advisor to guide you through potential resources to aid your efforts. Just make sure to do your due diligence on the latter to ensure the help is worthwhile.
Not Starting an Emergency Fund
Starting an emergency fund when you’re paying off debt seems odd. However, it’s the best way to avoid getting into debt in the future.
Life happens and you need funds to pay for large, unexpected expenses. An emergency fund helps you with that. You can start small and build from there. An online bank, like CIT Bank, is a terrific option as they have no hidden fees and pay a super competitive rate.
Using a Buy Now, Pay Later App
Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) apps promise the ability to buy something, and spread the cost over multiple payments. Sounds great, right?
The devil is in the details. If you miss payments, you risk fees and harming your credit. It’s best to save for the item so you can purchase it guilt-free.
Closing Your Credit Card
Closing your credit card is understandable when you’re deep in debt. Doing so may actually cause more harm.
Instead, keep it open but don’t use it. Closing it will likely negatively impact your credit score and deter other financial goals you may have.
Not Having a Simple Budget
A budget is key to paying off debt. I remember when the counselor who helped me introduced me to the idea of budgeting. I was overwhelmed at the thought. Thankfully, it was much simpler than I thought.
Be realistic and write down what you need for housing costs, food, transportation, and other absolute necessities. This will give you an idea of what you have leftover to apply towards your debt,
Not Asking For a Reduced Interest Rate
A huge part of what makes debt suffocating is the high interest. Don’t be shy in asking your credit card for a lower rate. Simply call the bank and ask what they can do to lower the rate.
Even if it’s for a temporary period, the relief can help more of your payment attack the principal. That helps create momentum.
Not Looking For a Way to Increase Your Income
Attacking debt requires less spending and more income. Ask your boss if you can work additional hours.
If that’s not possible, look for a way to make money on the side. Take the extra earnings and apply it to your debt to amplify your efforts and achieve freedom sooner.
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Do Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps Work?
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10 Proven Ways to Pay Off Debt Faster This Year
Paying off debt doesn’t have to take years upon years to achieve. You can intensify your efforts to kill it quicker. The sooner you become free the sooner you can attack other personal finance goals.
10 Proven Ways to Pay Off Debt Faster this Year
I’m John Schmoll, a former stockbroker, MBA-grad, published finance writer, and founder of Frugal Rules.
As a veteran of the financial services industry, I’ve worked as a mutual fund administrator, banker, and stockbroker and was Series 7 and 63-licensed, but I left all that behind in 2012 to help people learn how to manage their money.
My goal is to help you gain the knowledge you need to become financially independent with personally-tested financial tools and money-saving solutions.
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