Debt Management - 5 Principles to help you get your debt under control!

Introduction

Debt consolidation and refinancing have become thriving industries in America these days. American personal debt is at the highest rate we've seen. Creditors are more and more willing to give out credit cards, or let people easily qualify for home equity loans so they can refinance or consolidate debt. Not that refinancing is bad, but often times, we feel that since we've reduced our interest rates, we can afford "a little bit extra" credit as a reward.

BusinessWeek says that total household debt in the US was more than 100% of our disposable annual income last year. The average person has more than $8000 in credit card debt.

The bottom line is that our personal debt is growing at an alarming rate. You can now charge your fast food meals at many restaurants, paying interest for years on something you consumed in one sitting. Many people have taken steps to address their debt problems, including consolidating debt to lower interest rate cards, or to home equity loans, or at worst case the dreaded "B" word, Bankruptcy.

5 Principles of Debt Management

1. Create an accurate assessment of your debt situation. Make a list, chart or whatever you're most comfortable with, of all your debts. Be sure and include the amounts, interest rates, and expirations dates (especially on any no-interest for ## days type loans). Be sure and note any old accounts that you've got "laying around", such as that department store credit account that you opened to get the 15% discount. You can now get a free credit report online. You should make sure that you've got a credit report and FICO score from each of the 3 national credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. The FTC advises monitoring your CREDIT REPORT activity ON ALL 3 BUREAUS. Order your 3-bureau report from CreditReporting.com today. If you've got bad credit, paying down your debts is of utmost importance!! Click here if you need help understanding your credit score. Depending how bad your score is, you may also consider additional measures to repair your credit.

2. Make a budget and stick to it! Making a budget helps keep from increasing your debt, while you're trying to pay it down. Be specific and detailed in your budgeting. Except for emergencies, you should only be spending what is accounted for in your budget. Some people have found it helpful to keep a 30 day log of their spending. Carry a little notebook, or some index cards with you, and write down everything you spend each day. You'll probably be amazed at how much money you spend on things you want, and don't really need. The smallest things, such as that $3 cup of coffee every day, can slowly eat away at your finances. This will help keep you from getting further in debt. Your budget should define how much money you'll send to each of your creditors monthly and how much you need for bills, and how much is left for discretionary spending. Try limiting your discretionary spending to things you can buy with "pocket cash". This may be hardest thing you've ever done, but you won't get further in debt if you only spend what you have.

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