Regular readers of this blog will know that I take a great deal of
care and attention with the family finances. I know so many people
that have fallen into financial difficulties and understand what an
impact it can have on lives. I never want to get myself into that
situation, and work hard to be sensible.
The thing is, not all debt is bad. In fact, it’s debt that
drives most economies in the world and gives us some of the things we
need in life. Mortgages, for example, are essential for the vast
majority of us. Then there are car loans, which many people take out
so that they can travel to and from work. In simple terms, sometimes
we have to get into debt if we want to operate in the modern world.
When things start going wrong, however, it can all end up getting
a lot more serious. It doesn’t take much - or long - for a
previously sensible family to let things slip. And the consequences
can have such an impact that you could end up losing your home, your
relationship, or maybe even your job.
With this in mind, I have put together a comprehensive guide to
methods you can use to avoid bad debt problems. I hope you get
something out of it - and feel free to leave some tips of your own if
you have any! Let’s get started with some of the basics - which you
need to get right to start off with a strong foundation.
Live within your means
We here a lot about the importance of living within your means
these days. The trouble is, so few people do it. It’s not much of a
surprise, to be honest. There is a lot of temptation out there, and
we live in a society that seems to promote debt as a tool to achieve
dreams. Credit cards can be easy to get - and impossible to pay off.
Loans from the bank might get you the holiday of a lifetime, but it
can take a lifetime to get back in the black. The vast majority of
bad debts are built through these products. So, avoid them where
possible and only spend what you can afford.
Spend less than you earn
It sounds obvious to spend less than you earn, but so many people
live paycheck to paycheck. Many of those that do end up struggling to
make ends meet for the whole month. So, what is the solution? There
are loan products out there that can get you out of a fix, of course,
such as payday loans. They can come in handy, but make sure you pay
them off quick or you will get in a lot of financial trouble if you
let the interest spiral. You are far safer tracking all your finances
and making sure you never go over what you have been paid. Not only
will you avoid bad debts, but you will also be able to start saving
money.
Build up a robust emergency fund
Emergency funds are vital for every household in my opinion. The
professional financial advice says you should have enough money put
away to see you through three months if you lost your job, for
example. I say, go even further than that. Six months should be the
minimum, to ensure that you are more than comfortable and have the
time to find a new source of income. Start creating an emergency fund
by opening another bank or savings account with easy access. Put in
the same amount of money each month, and your fund should grow over
time. It's also handy for funding things like car repairs or medical
bills - anything that is outside of the norm. Once you start putting
money in the fund - no matter how small an amount - you will be
surprised by how quickly it gets to a reasonable size.
Stay on top of your payments
Most of us pay standing orders or direct debits these days. But,
if you aren’t keeping track of things every month, they can easily
tip the scales and put you in an awkward position. This applies in
particular when you are living close to the breadline, and it is
approaching the end of the month. Payments go out of your account,
but there isn’t enough to cover it. The utility or service company
charges you extra because you haven’t paid, and the bank slaps on a
charge, too. All of a sudden, you are down a considerable chunk of
money, which is difficult to claw back. Make sure you always have
enough money to cover everything that leaves your bank. And, you
should change the dates the money leaves your account as soon as
possible if it is causing you problems. If you don't have financial
problems now, those late payments could well cause them in the near
future!
Adapt your budget
Most households work with a budget. The trouble is, they don’t
adapt or improve it as times change. Not only will a budget give you
protection, but it will also help you start understanding where your
finances are going. It’s clear that what was a significant
expenditure one year may not be quite so important the next. Think
TV-on-demand subscriptions, or a gym membership that you just don’t
use. A good budget covers everything, from utility bills to weekly
shopping. But, it should never be set in stone if you find cheaper
alternatives or think of new ideas to cut spending.
Always check your credit score
Don’t forget; it’s possible to get into bad debt problems
without ever borrowing money. What happens if someone steals your
identity and goes on a spending spree under your name? It’s a more
common occurrence than you might think. And, it’s one of the
primary reasons why you should always check your credit report. Your
score can affect your life in many different ways. It might stop you
from getting a new cell phone contract. You could end up being unable
to rent a property from a landlord. And, it could even affect your
chances of getting a job. So, regardless of whether you have debts or
not, always check your credit score. It will help you see where all
your problems might be, and give you of an overview of all your
credit card balances.
Take out the right insurance
When something goes wrong, it can get expensive. You might find
yourself in a hospital, for example, unable to earn because of an
accident. You could be involved in an earthquake or flood, and the
entire contents of your home will be in ruins. You may even find
yourself a victim of a burglary. Whatever the disaster, you are going
to need to pay out for everything unless you have adequate insurance.
Of course, no one can tell you how much insurance you should have -
it’s all relative. But, by keeping close tabs on your health,
property and auto insurance, you will escape much of the major
financial pain.
Don’t get carried away by home ownership
It’s amazing what happens when you buy a house. All of a sudden,
you will find that you are sitting on a lot of equity - and that
makes you a perfect customer for banks and loan companies. They will
offer you fantastic packages with low-interest rates, safe in the
knowledge that if you default, they have protection. For a new
homeowner, it’s a tempting prospect. You might want to fit out a
new kitchen, or buy that three piece suite you always wanted. It
might seem like a clever move to take advantage of these offers. But,
the truth is, it could put you on the road to bad debts. It only
takes one or two missed payments to catch you out. And, once the
introductory offers are finished, you might end up with extortionate
interest rates. Neither of these situations is going to be a good
thing for you and your family. So, think carefully before taking out
any loan secured against your home. It won’t take much for it to
become a terrible decision.
Get creative!
As I mentioned earlier, there is a lot of temptation out there
that demands you spend money. And, it can be hard to ignore. But, one
of the best things you can do as a household is to start living your
life and being creative about the activities you choose to do. Learn
DIY and get some craft skills - you won’t have to call in the
handyperson or buy expensive items for the home. Encourage your
children to be imaginative with their play, and you might ward them
off expensive, tacky toys that they see on TV. Join your local library and read books - for free! There is so much you can do when
you put your mind to it. And, all of it will end up saving you money
and keeping yourself out of the way of bad debt problems.
I hope this has helped you somehow - feel free to get in
touch below!
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