Lots of people struggle with financial problems. It doesn’t take much to find yourself in a debt loop, it can happen to any of us. It often starts with one innocent loan and then becomes difficult to stop. In this way, we lose control over our own finances. What is a debt spiral and how can you get out of it? Is it possible to avoid debts? You will find out from the entry below.
Debt spiral – definition
A debt spiral is a situation in which we lack the funds to repay the debt, so we decide to take out another one. In this way, the debt is constantly increasing, which makes it more and more difficult for us to settle it. In practice, it looks like debts are growing faster than we can pay them off.
The consequences of such a situation may affect various aspects of life. The most important ones include:
- financial burden – we are aware that our debt is increasing and our financial possibilities are decreasing. This may result in us running out of funds to meet our basic needs,
- stress – both the fight against debt and the constant uncertainty associated with it cause enormous stress. In many cases, financial problems translate into health problems, including: insomnia, depression or anxiety,
- restrictions on various areas of life – obtaining a loan becomes very difficult, as is renting or purchasing an apartment.
What can lead to debt?
Potential factors that can lead to debt include:
- spending at a level that exceeds one’s financial means – especially regularly spending more money than one earns,
- lack of financial education – lack of awareness of financial management may lead to inappropriate financial decisions and increasing debt,
- high cost of living – this may include increases in the prices of housing, food, energy, health care and other basic needs. If incomes do not keep up with the cost of living, people may turn to loans to meet current needs.
- reduction in income or loss of job – professional instability or divorce and division of property may cause difficulties in repaying financial obligations, leading to debt,
- lack of an emergency fund – many people do not have any savings for unforeseen situations, such as sudden medical expenses, car breakdowns or job loss. Each of these situations may force you to use a loan or credit to cover these expenses,
- addictions – including gambling, drugs and even shopaholism lead to irresponsible spending.
It is worth noting that debt can also result from a combination of several factors. In any case, it is important to take appropriate steps to manage your debt and avoid additional financial problems.
How to get out of debt?
First of all, you need to approach it sensibly. Don’t take any rash actions. You should put aside all emotions related to the current situation.
In the rest of the article, we present a strategy that allows you to get out of the debt spiral.
A home budget is essential
The first thing is the household budget. If you don’t have it yet, it’s time to get it. How to develop such a budget? It’s nothing complicated. To start, just write down your earnings and then all your expenses incurred during the month.
This will make you aware of how much you spend and on what exactly. The next issue is to list the loan installments that you repay. Next, create a spending plan for each month, including debt repayment.
Next, you need to identify the sources of overspending. This will help you find out where you can save. There are plenty of ways to save. You can, for example, cancel unnecessary subscriptions, stop ordering takeaway food or look for cheaper alternatives for your daily expenses.
It is also important to prioritize individual debts. You need to decide which ones are most important. These may be those with the highest interest rates or those that have the greatest impact on your financial situation.
The next step is to set a budget to pay off your debts. Allocate a specific amount to pay off debts each month. If you can, try to exceed the minimum payments to pay them off early.
Also remember to track your expenses and income regularly. This will help you make sure you stay within your budget. If you need to make adjustments to your plan, do so and adjust your spending depending on your current situation.
You can read more about the home budget here:
Find an additional source of income and start saving
Finding an additional source of income can be very helpful in the process of getting out of debt. Remember, however, that this can be an ordinary part-time job, you do not have to work two full-time jobs. You can choose a job that does not require too much time or decide to work overtime. How to find a way to increase your income?
Don’t forget that focusing on increasing revenues must go hand in hand with proper expense management. And also an effective debt repayment plan.
It will also be a good idea to set aside money for unforeseen situations. Find out how to build a financial cushion.
Look for savings wherever possible. Shop sparingly, buy used things, give up unnecessary subscriptions. Besides, you can also easily save on energy and transportation.
Contact your creditor to arrange a repayment date
Be honest and tell the creditor thoroughly about your current financial situation. Discuss why you may have difficulty paying off your debt, such as job loss, reduced income, or sudden medical expenses. The more information you provide, the easier it will be for him to understand your situation.
Ask to consider changing the repayment terms, this may be extending the loan period, lowering the installment or suspending repayment for a specified period. Explain why this change is important to you and what benefits it will bring to both parties. You can also ask about any reduction in interest or fees.
Prepare a repayment plan that takes into account your current financial capabilities. Show the creditor what amounts you can regularly pay and how long the process of settling the debt will take. Make sure your plan is realistic and based on an accurate assessment of your income and expenses.
If you agree new repayment terms with your creditor, be sure to stick to them. Pay your installments on time and regularly to show your commitment to settling the debt. This will help you increase your chances of cooperation with the creditor.
If you have no choice, decide to file for personal bankruptcy
Consumer bankruptcy is a legal process that allows an individual (consumer) burdened with debts to settle obligations to creditors. It is a formal way of resolving a situation in which a person is unable to repay his debts from his current income.
Filing for bankruptcy is a serious decision that can be made when debts have become too high and there are no other viable ways to repay them. The first step is to consult with an experienced bankruptcy attorney. This lawyer will help you understand the procedures, legal requirements and consequences of declaring personal bankruptcy.
Before deciding to declare personal bankruptcy, it is important to carefully analyze your financial situation. Consolidate your debts, collect all the necessary documents regarding your income and expenses, and identify your assets and liabilities.
After deciding to declare personal bankruptcy, you will have to submit appropriate documents and an application to the court. Taking such actions may result in various consequences, e.g. loss of part of the property and credit restrictions. In addition, there are often difficulties in obtaining loans in the future – this also affects your credit history.
Are you interested in saving money? Then also visit these posts:
- How to save on shopping?
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- Ways to save energy at home
- How to save money at a young age?
How to avoid a debt spiral?
Debt can be a serious problem that has a very negative impact on our financial and emotional lives. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to how to avoid debt and maintain financial stability. Regardless of our financial situation, there are specific steps we can take to avoid the debt trap.
- A rational approach to finances – monthly expenses should not amount to more than 50% of your income. If you repay a loan or credit, their installments should not exceed 1/3 of your salary.
- Admit your debts – if you have difficulty paying your loan, you should inform the bank. You will certainly find a solution – it may include extending the loan repayment period, which will reduce the monthly installments. In some situations, the bank may also reduce the interest part of the installment.
- Do not take out a loan to pay off previous liabilities – let it be a last resort. Before that, it is worth using all available solutions. One of them is, for example, credit holidays, which will allow you to breathe and postpone repayment for a specified period of time.
- Only decide to take out a loan if you have no other choice – a new smartphone is not an urgent need. Especially when you have other expenses, which also include paying off liabilities.
- If you have several liabilities, use consolidation – consolidation combines several loans into one, thanks to which you can get a lower installment.
- Regularly checking your finances – thanks to this you will know what you can afford in a given month.
- Don’t borrow more than you need – there’s no point in opting for a higher loan amount because it increases your total debt. Moreover, a lower amount will be easier to repay in the future.
- Limit all unnecessary costs – it is worth regularly reviewing your expenses and giving up what is not necessary at a given moment. Remember that repaying a loan without taking out another one will help you control your finances.
As you can see, avoiding debt requires financial discipline. Regular monitoring and control of your finances is crucial to maintaining financial stability. Thanks to this, you will be able to avoid debt problems.
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Summary
Breaking the debt spiral requires understanding your financial situation and then taking appropriate actions. These include, among others: limiting expenses or negotiating debt repayment terms.
It is a process that requires self-discipline, determination and patience. However, it is worth remembering that it is possible to get out of this trap. Like regaining financial stability and peace of mind.
Image sources:
- Image by pch.vector on Freepik
- Photo by Pablo Heimplatz on Unsplash