Sunday, November 09, 2008

Getting out of debt


If you are in debts and you know the reasons of how you fall into this kind of mess, the pain does not lessen when the reality bubble bursts. In some ways, it increases the pain. It’s a human nature to put the blame on someone else when it’s a mistake done by them. Many people will often put the fingers at someone else: Greedy City fat-cats; blinkered Banks; flawed governance etc.

If you are in debts, first thing that you should know is not to panic. Creating panic will not solve the problems. Instead, deal with the situation and try to solve the problems. If your level of debt appears to be insurmountable, remains very similar to what it was ten years ago, then you must take the following steps:

Seek help: talk to your family members and friends. They will be a great help if they can bring you out of this financial mess. If you don’t get any help, then go to the citizen’s advice bureau. They will not offer any kind of financial help, but they will advise you ways to come out of your debt related problems and if needed, refer you to some debt expert.
Prepare a budget for yourself: Make a list of all your sources of income, overall expenses including emergency funds. Deduct one from the other. Divide the net balance between your creditors, apportioning the largest repayment to the biggest debt.
Never avoid your creditors phone calls if you have started getting late in your monthly payments or even if you are expecting to get late. Talk to them and explain your financial situation. Offer them a new repayment plan that you can afford. They will be willing to work on your terms because they want to get back the principal amount at least, if not the full interests and added fees. They will certainly not like the idea if you tell them that you will stay as a defaulter if they are charging their high interests and fees.

Approach your local authority to ask for a rate or rent rebate where appropriate. See if both could be made payable weekly. Never fall into any kinds of arrears with rates as this is a criminal offense, liable to imprisonment.

Ask the Department of Work & Pensions if you are entitled to any supplements: eg Family Credit.

Do not take out any new loans to pay off the existing debts. This simply increases the problems because the overall debts will keep multiplying over the period of time.
Find all possible ways to save money. The more you can cut down from your daily/monthly expenses, put it towards your savings. This will create enough funds during emergencies

Try to find any extra sources of income. Look for a second job, if possible.

If you have savings use them to pay off as much of your debt as possible. The interest you receive on your savings account is unlikely to be as great as the compounded interest payable on your debts.