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Simple Facts To Face To Get Out Of Debt

December 1st, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

Recently I had a conversation with a friend who, for the last year or so, has really made an effort in getting a hold of her financial situation. During our conversation we came to the conclusion that in our Western culture, being in debt is so acceptable that unless you truly resolve to not play the game, you will remain in debt.

As she knows that I write for this site, I said to her that at times I feel frustrated as to what to contribute as there is only so many ways that you can say - “If you want to get out of debt, simply quit spending more than you make.” But it has to be a decision that first, you make, and second you stick to come hell or high-water.

Just as with dieting, you won’t be successful if you don’t resist the donuts that show up at the office, or the decadent slice of chocolate cake that’s shouting out your name. Same here, if you are sincere about wanting to get out of debt, you are going to have to stick with your decision even when you walk passed your favorite store and see the 50 Percent Off Entire Stock sign hanging in the window.

If we stick with our dieting comparison, to really maximize your success, it’s going to take a lifestyle change. You have to change your food choices, cut out excess, maybe change the time of day in which you eat, and to really like what you see in the end - you’re going to have to exercise.

So too with getting out of debt, it’s going to take a lifestyle change, or more so, a management change. You will have to go through the exercise process of creating a budget - or at least, go through the process to know exactly what your fixed expenses are and what your variable expenses are. You will then have to compare the sum of those values with your net income to determine how much of the variable spending has to be trimmed, or alternatively, what you are going to do to generate more income.

The option of doing something to generate more income is not something that should be quickly dismissed. In his book Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki talks about the mentality of the rich not being ‘I can’t afford it’, but rather ‘How can I get it.’ This outlook is liberating rather than restrictive. The minute you give yourself an ‘I can’t’ or restrict yourself, psychologically you start to want it more.

So really it just all boils down to this: everything has a cost. Plain and simple. Then you have to decide what it’s worth to you and what price you’re willing to pay. Back to the diet. If you tell yourself you can’t have the chocolate cake, you’re going to want it all the more. So instead if you assess the cost at 500 calories, is having to skip supper, or having to increase your exercise time, or staying where you are at, an acceptable price to pay for the brief pleasure of the chocolate cake.

If there is something that you really want to buy, rather than telling yourself you can’t, what can you do to make the purchase? If getting out of debt is your true desire, then what in your current budget gets cut, or what can you do to generate some income to purchase the item?

If you can’t recall a time of someone pointing a gun at your head, forcing you to buy something on credit, then you alone are responsible for your debt. If you lived by the principle of purchasing only that which you paid cash for, you wouldn’t be reading articles on this site. So the question to you is what are you prepared to do to turn things around? Start thinking, think outside the box, write an action plan down, stick to it and watch your life turn around.

Over the next while, we plan on posting articles that might generate some ideas on ways to increase your income. Please feel free to leave a comment with ideas or strategies which have worked for you.

Making a Dent In You Debt

July 8th, 2009    Subscribe To Our Feed

Debt is the curse of our time. The amount we owe would make our ancestors’ heads spin. For some their income can cover the repayments. For others their income is simply insufficient to meet all the outgoing expenses and their debts are rising to even more unsustainable levels.

The Current Economy

The current world financial woes have just heightened the problem and raised the spectra of collapsing economies and the resultant pain and poverty that will inevitably follow. There is no time to be lost. You simply have to set your house in order.

How To Start

First, grab all the family credit cards and lock them away or destroy them as they make it way too easy to get into trouble. Next make a complete list of all your debts. Put them in order of amount borrowed and by the highest interest rate charges. Determine the lowest amount that is required to be paid collectively each month.

Fixed Expenses

Now you need to work out your new budget. List all your monthly expenditures. Do not forget to make a monthly allowance for those periodic payments like rates and insurances. Go through the budget and delete all unnecessary items like membership subscriptions and cable TV subscriptions. Delete everything that is not necessary to everyday living. If there is money left over after this analysis you can look at reinstating those things again later on.

Comparison Time

Now work out outgoing compared to income. Hopefully, this will now show a surplus. If this proves to be the case use this surplus to commence paying off the debt with the highest interest rate. Get the first one paid off and then work on the one with the next highest debt. You will now have a higher surplus each month so maybe you can reward yourself with reinstating cable TV or the gym membership, but take it slowly.

More Analyses

If, after doing your budget you are still behind the eight ball you will need to look at reorganizing your debt into one single loan at a better over all interest rate. Shop around to find the best deal. This may prove difficult but keep trying. If all else fails, try getting a better job that pays more or look at moonlighting in a part time job. Maybe you could live with relatives until you get back on your feet.

Start and Stay Committed

There are always alternatives but you must make a start on killing off the debt. Nothing will improve if you do not take action. Remember to break the credit card habit and write out and commit to a budget.

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Credits: Make Money Online | Andreas Viklund