What Is the Best way to get out of Debt?
Getting out of debt is a challenge you must meet if you want to enjoy financial security. In addition to adding stress to your daily life, mounting debt will keep you from owning a nicer home, furthering your education, starting a business or investing for your retirement. It's hard to overstate the enormity of the impact debt can have on your future. However, sometimes it's even more difficult to know eliminate debt.
Identification
To tackle your debt, you need to know exactly how much debt you have. Prepare a list of all your creditors, how much you owe and what the interest rate is on each loan. Prioritize your list with high interest payday or title loans first, credit card debt next. Your auto loan comes after that, followed by low interest student loans.Your home mortgage is last on the list.
Expert Insight
Paying off loans from payday or title lenders is top priority. These lenders are in the business of keeping you trapped in a cycle of high interest loans. A 2006 study by The Center for Responsible Lending reveals that nation wide, short term lenders charge an average 400 percent annual interest rate on their loans. Additionally, 90 percent of payday loan revenues comes from borrowers who are unable to repay on time.
Significance
Credit card interest is the average consumers largest financial drain. Lowering it is essential to getting out of debt. Find the most competitive interest rates currently available. Then ask your credit card company to match those rates. Persistence pays off when negotiating with credit lenders. Instead of dealing with the representative who answers your call, ask to speak with a supervisor who has more authority to change your interest rate.
Function
Your home loan is not part of the debt you should worry about paying off. But if you've got equity in your home, refinancing your mortgage can be a good way to eliminate other high interest debt. Shop for the lowest possible fixed rate. Don't be tempted to take an adjustable rate mortgage, even if the initial payments look very attractive.
Prevention/Solution
To meet your cash needs in a crunch, think creatively and exercise your entrepreneurial spirit. Sell a spare vehicle, hold yard sales, sell merchandise on eBay, sell old jewelry or get a part time job. If your debt is large and threatens your ability to keep your home, consider taking in a boarder or renting your home out for a couple of years.
Considerations
Some people use retirement savings to pay off debt, but advice from financial experts varies on this tactic. Because you usually pay penalties for early retirement fund withdrawal and your money will no longer earn you interest, you have to reinvest significantly more than you withdraw just to break even.
Bankruptcy can eliminate your of debt, but the effect on your credit history will be profound. Borrowing in the future will be difficult, and if you can get a loan, you won't be able to get the best interest rates. It also affects your ability to obtain business loans. Always consult an expert in financial law and taxes before when making decisions regarding bankruptcy.
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