Dealing With Your Debt

By: Richard MacGrueber

Large amounts of debt can be stressful and overwhelming, especially if you do not foresee a way out of it. Everyday people are getting more and more in debt. Getting in debt is not always due to being irresponsible with money. At times, it can also be due to financial troubles such as loss of income, a cut back in hours at work, or simply not making enough money to pay all of the bills that are due. In desperate times, you may have turned to your credit cards to pay other bills or to buy groceries or other necessities and now you just can not pay off the balances. Whatever the reason you have gotten into debt, now is a good time to deal with it and find your way out of it.

Credit Counseling Companies

One way to get out of debt is to seek the help of a credit counseling firm. These companies will take control of your finances, contact all of your debtors, and consolidate your bills into one monthly payment that is manageable for your personal budget. You will need to stop using your credit cards and rely on the company to manage your debt. In many cases, creditors will agree to settle the debt for less than what you actually owe which can help you to pay off your debts more quickly. If you have thought about filing for bankruptcy, a credit counseling company would likely be a better option instead of harming your credit report even more by having a bankruptcy listed on your file.

Personal Debt Management Plan

If you are unwilling to work with a credit counseling company, you can start your own personal debt management plan. This will involve setting up a personal financial budget where you are only spending within your means and contacting each of your creditors to set up a re-payment plan. Your credit cards will likely be cancelled or suspended in this instance so that you can not incur any more charges. You will have to set aside a specific amount of money each paycheck to pay towards your debt. In most cases, the amount you set aside should be as large as you can manage to pay of your debt as quickly as possible. You will also need to analyze your finances to see which expenses you can eliminate each month. You may have to make a few personal sacrifices such as not eating out at restaurants, not shopping for new clothing or items which are unnecessary, and cutting out any luxury items that are costing you money every month. You will need to find ways to save money every day by being more frugal and careful with your money in general for your personal debt management plan to be successful.

Whether you decide to use a professional debt management service or go it alone, getting your debt under control is an important step to reaching your long term financial goals.