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How to Get Good Treats from Holidays Debt
Even without cash at hand, it is still easy for people not to ignore their needs and wants during the holidays. Just imagine the gifts they have to give to all of those loved ones and colleagues, the dinner parties they had to throw, the holiday vacation with the entire family, and a lot more fun and exciting holiday activities. All of these needed cash to pull through. And the best solution during these times is credit cards.
However, as much as it was easy to get these good things during the holidays, it was easy as well for people to get piled on with hefty credit card debt. When the rush and frenzy of the holiday shopping has died down and reality sets back in, people are left with the inescapable truth, that they have to pay what they owe in order to free themselves from heavy burdens of debt.
Paying back a credit card debt means monthly payments. Whats more is that not only people have to pay debt from one single card but a lot of different cards as well. Each person can have as many as eight different cards all at once, so chances are they have used each or most of it during the holidays. The result is bigger debt thus bigger money spent each month for repayments.
Its a bitter reality when people have to prioritise payment of debt. Since they are unavoidable nonetheless, why not make something good out of it?
Increase credit score. Pay well and pay on time. People must not miss a due date until theyve paid all of their debt. After doing this will pave their way in to an increased credit limit which is helpful for bigger loans in the future such as a house loan. They will also get a better shot at good jobs because good employers would want to hire financially responsible employees.
Get rewards. With each swipe, some of the best credit cards offer corresponding rewards to accumulated points. Some rewards go as luxurious as free international airfares, glitzy tech gadgets, generous shopping sprees and more.
Money that goes out for repayment is money lost. So what about savings and emergency funds? Guess they will have to take a backseat until all debts have been cleared or at least until people have paid enough to actually go back to their old routine of saving. As for now, people must take advantage of what credit card debt has good to offer.
Credit Card Debt: When to Seek Help
More Americans than ever need help with debt in these turbulent times. With chaos in the economic arena, unemployment creeping up, and inflation threatening, this is no time to be carrying the burden of credit card debt.
But who can help you out of the trap of high-interest card agreements when penalties and fees are mounting every day? A bank loan might let you breathe easier, but if your debt is substantial you’re just delaying the day when the other foot drops.
Perhaps the first thing to do is take a good hard look at how much debt you really have.
Calculate Your Debt Load
With a low debt load, all you need is discipline and a good budget to take control of your finances. But if your debt load is too heavy, no matter how much you sacrifice you will not be able to pay off your bills on your present income. In that case, you will have to start looking for a professional to help with debt.
So your first step needs to be finding a number called your debt-to-income ratio. This is a simple calculation:
Add up all your monthly debt: rent or mortgage, credit card minimum payments, car loans, etc. Do not include monthly expenses, such as utilities, groceries, or gas.
Add up all your monthly income: salary, bonuses or overtime, alimony, etc.
Divide your total monthly debt by your total monthly income.
Go It Alone?
If the result is less than 49% (.49), then it’s likely you can manage to start controlling your debt immediately, just by reducing your spending and increasing the amount you pay on credit cards each month.
The closer you are to that magic number, the more you’ll have to give up, though. Just for comparison, a ratio of 36% is considered affordable for most people. As that ratio increases toward 49%, the harder it will be to manage bills in the face of job loss, divorce or illness. And in times like these, it’s probably best to be as conservative as possible, striving toward a ratio between 25% and 35%.
And if your ratio is higher than 49%? Well, then you need to start considering who to turn to for help with debt.
I Need Help!
There are almost unlimited resources on the internet that you can contact for help with debt. Debt consolidators, debt settlement companies and debt relief agencies all work with credit card companies and banks to resolve their clients’ debt problems.
Each represents a niche in the credit relief industry. Some will try to reduce the total amount you owe, while others will simply try to get you better terms on existing debt. Either way, you’ll end up paying less interest and no penalties as long as you fulfill a new payment plan to reduce your debt.
It’s worth researching each type to find out which one can help most in your unique situation. Most have toll-free numbers you can call for an initial free consultation. Just remember to ask questions and demand full information about the services offered and the costs involved. Do not allow yourself to be pressured into using a servicea hard sell is a red flag in this industry. It is very important to also verify the organization’s standing with the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General of your state and the state where the company is registered.