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Hi Taylor
- I'm feeling extra motivated to get out of debt and think this year's
my year. I want to make sure I don't get discouraged (I've got a long
way to go), so I'm wondering if you have any tips that will help me
through the process. - Monte
Hi Monte - Glad to hear you're taking the plunge! When you
get to the other side of this, you'll feel like a hero and wonder
why you didn't start sooner.
The right mindset is important for tackling debt, so here are some
guidelines that will hopefully keep you on track. |
1. Commit
to a change in spending. You will spin your wheels and give
up way too quickly if you don't put a freeze on extraneous spending.
This seems obvious, and yet so many people fail to get out of
debt because they can't stop going out to dinner, taking trips
and buying non-essential items. Know that you can do without a
lot of your monthly expenditures and saving $5 here or there makes
a huge difference. You can also change your cell phone plan, drop
cable, use less water, drive fewer places, etc. Any of these changes
will help you pay down debt more quickly, and after a month or
so you won't miss whatever it was you used to spend too much money
on.
2. Organize your debt. It sounds like you have a fair amount
of debt and that probably consists of multiple account balances.
Attacking your debt as one lump sum is like charging up Everest
in weighted boots - you'll pretty much fail before you start.
You need to look at each account balance, know which ones have
the highest interest rates and which can be paid down the fastest.
When you see the money you owe as individual battles which you
might be able to win, you'll feel more optimistic about the whole
process.
3. Be patient. As you said, you have a long way to go.
Since large amounts of debt mean hefty interest payments, it takes
a little bit of time before you start to see results. This is
why a plan is so important - give yourself a strategy you can
stick to that will keep you on course even when your goals seem
completely out of reach. After a few months of reduced spending
and tactical repayments, the difference will be noticeable and
each payment will have a little more power. Before long, you'll
see the light at the end of the tunnel.
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A lot of people
have success by choosing between a debt snowball and a debt avalanche,
and you can read about those strategies at GoFarWithKovar.com.
Find your method, keep your head up, and sooner than later that
debt will be a thing of the past. Good luck, Monte!
© Taylor Kovar
June 3, 2019
More "Go Far With Kovar"
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| Disclaimer:
Information presented is for educational purposes only and is not
an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific
securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve
risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to
first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional
before implementing any strategy discussed herein. To submit a question
to be answered in this column, please send it via email to Question@GoFarWithKovar.com,
or via USPS to Taylor Kovar, 415 S 1st St, Suite 300, Lufkin, TX 75901.
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