| |
| |
|
|
|
Are You Beating Up On Yourself About Debt?
When you hear the word "debt", whats the first thought or feeling that comes to you? For most people debt is "bad" or it becomes the "enemy" and is something that should be avoided like the plague. Having debt does not make you a bad person. The more a situation is judged as being bad, the worse it gets. It's the judgement that you have around debt, that will keep you feeling "stuck". It's the judgement that brings out the anxiety, the fear, the stress, the knot in the stomach. It's the old success principle: what you focus on expands. So what are you focusing on? Getting out of debt is an inside job first! What that means is taking 100% responsibility for your debts and admitting to yourself that you have an obligation, and knowing and believing that you will fulfill that obligation, by paying your creditors as quickly as possible. No one wants to be stressed, or worry about living beyond their means. Most people are very uncomfortable talking about the subject of money and debt. And since the subject of money management is NOT normally taught in schools, where do we learn about it? From our families, friends, co-workers etc, tv shows. These are people who mean well, and it's been my experience that they are usually passing along information that may be outdated, and no longer relevant for the times that we currently live in and may or may not apply to you and your life. It is THEIR opinions and beliefs. Once again it doesn't make it a "good" or "bad" thing. The answer is to find a solution that "works" for you and your particular situation. Keep in mind, that once you decide to become debt free, it will become crystal clear that not everyone thinks that becoming debt free is a good idea. Everyone from your local bank to your grocery store, want you to buy on credit. Realize that "credit" is a tool that can serve you, or NOT serve you. Here are some tips for becoming debt free. 1) Admit that you have debt, and are willing to become debt free. This is the most important step and is part of being 100% responsible, and being open to finding a solution. Without knowing where you are now, you are probably not going to be able to plot out a plan or map to where you want to go. 2) Don't add any more debt. This is all about changing habits, beliefs, and attitudes about buying on credit. Your attitudes about money/credit may have served you up to this point, and the good news is that you can now make new choices that support you. Remember "life" happens and there may be times when you may have to use credit. If this should happen DON'T beat yourself up. Just continue down your path of debt reduction and the ultimate goal of financial freedom. 3) Start to pay off the debt NOW. This seems like an obvious and simple step, and it's simple to do and also simple NOT to do. Afterall we are human beings, and change is not something that we are very comfortable with. Put all your debts on paper, so that you are clear about what you owe. One of the best strategies to debt reduction is the "something-something" principle. Focus on paying (1) creditor off at a time. This will keep your energy concentrated, and your debt reduction efforts will be more effective, than trying to pay off everyone at one time. 4) Take "extra" money and apply it toward your debt. Where can you get the "extra" money? Start to watch where you spend your money. For example: using coupons, or shopping at a warehouse club, can save you thousands of dollars over the course of a year. These savings can be used to pay down your debt quickly and effortlessly. Keep in mind that your past doesn't equal your future. Look at your current financial situation as a "learning" experience, and an area that you are able to improve on....versus a place that you are judging yourself for a mistake. Many people just like you have been able to eliminate their debt. The good news is....so can you!!!! ©2004 All Rights Reserved Author Info Box: `````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` The author, Mario Castagno is the webmaster of a resource for debt reduction programs. ``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Life on a Debt Management Program Signing up for a debt management program is easy; it's a matter of finding a company you feel comfortable with that is difficult. There should be no pressure added from the company you speak with, joining a DMP is your decision and you should feel like you are in a partnership with the company, meaning you both have control over your financial situation. IVA Advice An IVA (individual voluntary arrangement) is an alternative to bankruptcy introduced by the government as part of the Insolvency Act 1986. This article provides an overview of IVAs and suggests what readers should watch out for when looking for IVA advice. What is Bankruptcy? Here is a useful guide to bankruptcy. It should be noted that bankruptcy is not to be entered into without first having sought professional advice. Repair Bad Credit Yourself In March 2005, the U.S. Debt Management - Is It the Right Choice For You? Debt Management plans offer credit counseling clients a different and new approach to tackle their finances. Finding out if a debt management plan is right for you can take some time. Debt Problems? You Can Negotiate With Your Creditors It is always possible to negotiate with creditors - even if they have already taken you to court to get a judgment or to garnish your wages.Getting a creditor to reduce your monthly payment helps and does provide short-term relief. Drowning in Debt? Tips and Tricks for Getting Out of Hot Water with Creditors Do you, like millions of other Americans, feel like you're sinking in an ocean of credit card debt? Well, fear not--there are many options for reducing your debt way before you have to be concerned about receiving notices or daunting telephone calls from debt collectors. The important thing to remember is to be proactive in handling your credit card debt. Are You Beating Up On Yourself About Debt? When you hear the word "debt", whats the first thought or feeling that comes to you? For most people debt is "bad" or it becomes the "enemy" and is something that should be avoided like the plague.Having debt does not make you a bad person. Should You Join a CCCS - Consumer Credit Counseling Service for Debt Relief and Financial Freedom? Do You Need to Join a CCCS - Consumer Credit Counseling Service?Are you in a "debt hell"? If you are unsure, ask yourself these questions:Do you have bill collectors calling you and home and at work, leaving annoying messages?Are you afraid to open the door in the morning because you are afraid that the Sheriff's office has left a court goody for you?When the phone rings, do you get butterflies in your stomach?If you answer the phone and it's a bill collector, when they ask for you, do you reply "He/She's not in right now", or even just pick up the phone and then hang it up without saying who is on the other end?Do you go for days on end without checking the mail because there are only bills there?When you finally do get the mail, do you just throw it in some random location for weeks or even months without ever opening it?Are you paying one credit card company's bill with another credit card?Are your credit cards riddled with over the credit limit and late fees?Do you only receive high interest credit card offers?Have you applied for credit cards or car loans and been told that you had been denied because of bad credit?Does your credit report show a lot of late payments, charge-offs, bad debt, 30 60 90 or 120 days late entries listed?Does filing bankruptcy seem like your only way out? If you related to at least two of those items, chances are you would benefit from a consumer credit counseling service.Believe me, I know what you are going through. Bankruptcy Abuse Bankruptcy is little more than a smack on the hand these days. Creditors are certainly not going to look at you as a wise credit risk after bankruptcy, but that will probably not stop them from extending credit to you anyways. Getting Past The Idea Of Budgeting & Saving Money I'm sure you'll agree that budgeting, saving money, and eliminating debt are very appealing ideas. If effectively tackled, these goals can secure your financial status for the future, and allow you to live a comfortable, debt-free life. Use A Debt Checklist To Examine Where You Are A Debt Checklist allows you to look at items and areas of your financial life. You need to examine these to gauge how you stand. Your Secret Weapon... A Budget For many, the word 'budget' immediately sends shivers down the spine. Why in the world would anyone need or want to budget their money?First off, budgeting your money does NOT mean you are poor, or are in need of financial assistance. How Do I Lower My Debt Burdens? How do I lower my debts?There are several ways of improving your credit status. If you have decided upon taking up firm steps to decrease your debts, then you may consider these few ways for dealing with the situation. Debt Elimination 1 If you have multiple debts, you may well be wishing you had a debt elimination wand to wave and make all the debts disappear. You would probably wish even harder for that magic wand if you were falling behind with, or at least struggling hard to keep up with, the monthly payments on those debts. Student Loans Can't Be Swept Away Through Bankruptcy Bankruptcy is in the news these days, as Congress has finally overhauled the Federal bankruptcy law after years of talking about it. The credit card companies, rightly or wrongly, have been pressuring members of Congress to tighten the bankruptcy statutes, saying that too many people were willfully spending money they couldn't repay with the intention of avoiding paying the money back by filing for bankruptcy. Budgeting and Debt Management Debt management (specifically unsecured) is the first step to taking control of your money! Add a household budgeting plan and you've got a powerful tool for money management.Together, budgeting and debt management build financial security and independence. Secrets to Why Debt Reduction is So Vital for Your Financial Health Living with debt is never a good idea if you want to make long-term financial plans. Every cent you use to service debt is money that could have been invested in your future. Debt Free Living - 5 Tips To Get Out Of Debt A few times I wonder what sort of credit system moved the global economy 200 years ago. If the intention of getting into a business is meant to 'help' fulfill the needs and wants of someone, I don't see how credit card salesmen can drove more people into debt and backruptcy. New Bankruptcy Law Will Not Protect You from Identity Theft Recently passed by Congress with overwhelming support, the oddly-named Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act was designed to eliminate "bankruptcy of convenience." The perceived problem is that many compulsive gamblers, shoppers and drug users often run up huge debts on easily available credit cards with no intention of paying their bills.
|
| home | site map |
| Copyright 2009 - All Rights Reserved Net-resources.org |
