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Debt Management

The Wrong Ways to Pay Off Your Debt

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Being in debt can be stressful, no one denies that. And the pressure can place you in a range of challenging positions, forcing you to cave in and make the wrong financial decisions. Embracing the right ways to pay off your debt is more than mandatory.

But how do you know which are those? Well, you must get acquainted with the practices that should be avoided, and this is what we’re going to discuss in today’s article. Keep on reading to discover the wrong ways to pay off your debt.

Consolidate with a high-interest loan

Debt consolidation makes sense when the financing solution provided by the lender is actually favourable. If the loan terms are convenient for your financial situation, you should go for it. Nonetheless, choosing debt consolidation for the wrong reason and failing to analyse the implications of the term will do you more harm than good.

In the case in which the only loan you can obtain has an interest rate that is higher than your credit card debt, you should leave it aside.

At first, you may believe that your monthly repayments appear lower with debt settlement. Nonetheless, that is only because the loan has an extended timeframe. If you were to calculate the interest you’d end up paying during the life span of the loan, you might come to realise that such a solution is not the best. So, this is definitely one of the wrong ways to pay off your debt.

Misusing your home equity loan

The second on our list of one of the worst ways to pay off your debt: choosing a home equity loan. Even though you may assume that this could be the answer to all your problems, this is not always the case. Of course, there are many situations in which this option actually works. As always, everything depends on each person’s financial conditions.

However, if you’re struggling with high-interest credit card debt, you should pinpoint the root of the problem. For example, your debt situation might be a result of reckless spending and poor money management skills. If you don’t aim at solving the problem from its root, you are prone to end up in this exact scenario in a year or two. So, it goes without saying that a home equity loan won’t work as long as you don’t fix the underlying issue. In the case in which the loan ends up being unaffordable, you might lose your home as well.

Choosing the support of a debt settlement company

Accepting the guidance of a debt settlement company is, without a doubt, one of the most unfavourable ways to pay off your debt. As it is expected, these kinds of businesses advertise as being the solution to everybody’s money related problems. Nonetheless, after you manage to settle your debts, by paying significantly less than you owed, your credit rating is terrible, and you’re back where you started. Not to mention that we’re talking about a lengthy process. Even if your attempt is successful, you’ll have to work on rebuilding your credit score for years.

So, try to stay away from the methods mentioned above. There are other ways to pay off your debt without affecting your credit score in the process. Speak with a financial expert like Australian Lending Centre who offers free consultations on paying off debts and managing people’s finances.Save

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Debt Management

5 Warning Signs of Out-of-Control Debts

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The first sign of a financial problem is the denial that you need to ask for debt help. We are about to help you learn the warning signs of out-of-control debts so you can take back financial control.

A person is most likely to ask for help upon reaching the rock bottom when the only logical way out is bankruptcy. Before you sink deeper into debt, here are some questions you can ask yourself to know if you are in serious need of debt help.

Am I spending over my credit limit?

If you have maxed-out your credit card you can see an “over-limit” added to your next monthly statement. Though not all cards charge these fees because some card issuers waive the penalty, exceeding your credit card limit is a sign of personal financial mismanagement. It can seriously hurt your credit score because credit utilization accounts for about thirty per cent of your credit score.

If you didn’t stay well within the limit available to you, it would alert the credit score company that you are having a hard time managing your finances. You have two options here, either you increase your credit limit or you take a look at your spending behaviour. If you are barely able to pay your bill each month, choosing option number two is a good idea.

Do I have multiple credit cards?

Some say that you can never have too many credit cards because you will end up using them. The truth is, having multiple credit cards can help you boost your credit score, and they may come in handy during emergencies. But if you have the habit of forgetting to make payments or you are tempted to spend beyond what you can actually afford to pay because of the available credits, it can hurt you. One of the biggest warning signs of out-of-control debts is mounting credit card debt.

Remember that the best way to fatten your wallet and get out of debt is to manage your current accounts and your available finances responsibly.

Am I using credit to pay for basic necessities?

If you are using credit for small purchases such as food, gas, rent and utilities not for convenience but necessity, it could be a sign that you need debt help. Not paying your monthly bills on time and charging your living expenses to your credit cards may push you deeper into debt. Talking to our debt management specialists can help you rearrange your budget so you can have money for your living expenses.

Do I constantly borrow money from relatives or friends?

If you always run to your family and friends during financial emergencies and you’re still short on cash despite loans and credit cards, it may be time to learn how to budget your money. You can start with a debt management plan to know how much you really need to pay off all your debts and the amount you need to live comfortably. While you can make a list of all your debts and do the math, getting the help of debt management would be a better idea, to know about debt consolidation options and other debt management strategies.

When do I ask for debt help? The answer would be now. The moment you start asking yourself that question, it means you are having troubles managing your finances.

At the Australian Lending Centre, we can offer you the best debt counselling service in Australia and help you explore options and make decisions regarding your personal finances and debt management problems. Contact us today to learn more about debt assistance, debt agreements and debt relief services.

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Debt Management

Debt is a Powerful Trap

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Debt is one of the most hazardous forces to confront in the world of personal finance. It has destroyed many people’s lives in the past couple of years along with the global financial crisis, interest rate hikes and unemployment rates higher than ever. We are here to help you to avoid falling into the powerful debt trap.

Government statistics show that total insolvency activity in Australia rose 11% (36,479 cases) last financial year. Most of these were bankruptcies and 86% of bankruptcies were non-business related, therefore they were for personal reasons.

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Debt Management

Avoid the Debt Trap

how to avoid debt traps

It’s not out of the norm to hear that 2009 was a hard year financially for many people and businesses – but now that the credit card bills have began to roll in from the holiday season, it‘s very apparent just how much debt people dug themselves into last year.

Over drinks the other night I noticed a friend – who usually pays cash for everything – was using a credit card to pay for her cocktail, I was taken aback and asked her why; she replied “after my pay cut last year and interest rate hikes on my mortgage, I have chewed through my savings and now I mostly use credit”. She then went on to explain that as of October last year she has been making her monthly mortgage repayments on her credit card, as she has been using her weekly income to pay for other bills, everyday spending and her minimum monthly card repayments. Quite simply put, her repayments are approximately $2,200 a month, so she is already $11,000 further in debt – and that isn’t even taking into consideration the credit card interest she is accruing.

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