There’s no doubt about it; many households across the country are facing more debt than they’ve ever realized they could even accumulate. Average household debt in the United States is approaching $40,000. Other developed countries are not far behind. Some debts are justified, such as medical, car, and school bills, while others not so much. Nevertheless, debt is a problem that must be tackled strategically if one wishes the outcome to be a positive one. Therefore, the following list includes three tips anyone can use to help them in getting out of debt.
Track your expenses
Perhaps one of the most common reasons why people find themselves in crippling debt is because they simply don’t know what they are spending each and every month. When automatic payments are set up, it can be easy to oversee how much you are really spending. Therefore, the very first thing you should do in your journey to be debt-free is to begin tracking every one of your expenses. Sit down and make a list of all the monthly bills you have. This should include everything from your rent to all the streaming sites you subscribe to. In addition, it is also important to understand what you’re paying for. For example, those living in Pennsylvania often utilize Peco to better understand their energy bills, thus allowing them to see where exactly their money is going each and every month.
Make and stick to a budget
Now that you know what you’re spending your money on each month, it is now time to make it work for you. Through the creation and implementation of a budget, you will be able to control your money rather than it controlling you. Sections you should add to your budget can include food, utilities, car/insurance, and even entertainment if you can afford it. The goal of a budget is not to help you gain back control and eliminate your outstanding debt as soon as possible and with the least difficulty.
Save…Save…. Save
The reality of the world is that it’s not fair. You may have the best budget on your block, but that doesn’t mean something negative won’t happen in your life. Unexpected events such as car issues, medical bills, or your daughter’s glasses breaking can really throw off even the best of budgets. Therefore, it is highly recommended to begin to save now. The common recommendation is to save at least one thousand dollars and leave it alone until an emergency happens. Note that a broken television or radio isn’t an emergency. It should also be noted that when this household emergency fund is depleted, you should make it a point to replenish it before spending on other non-essential items.
One of the best things you can do for yourself and your family is to protect your financial standing. Therefore, it is paramount that if you do find yourself in debt that you follow the expert advice above by tracking your expenses, making and sticking to a budget, and perhaps most importantly, making savings a top priority in your life.
