JoshDebt is a common feature in today’s society; the number of people in debt certainly increased during the recession and many have still to solve their liquidity problems. That said, many regard debt as perfectly normal and if they are able to manage it, they see no problem at all. When it comes to real estate financed by a mortgage, homeowners are expecting that their borrowings will work positively for them as their asset increases in value year on year. Although the recession brought a stop to growth and values fell, in the medium to long term they should get growth far beyond the cost of borrowing.
The fortunate people who have no debt and own their homes outright are in the minority. They are able to save, invest in their future and retirement without any pressure. The vast majority of people know they have monthly bills which include a mortgage or rent, energy and food bills, leisure and travel as well as any loan repayments. They accept debt as normal but sometimes fail to see that their ability to manage their money will affect their quality of life.
A Trap?
Debt can be a trap which prevents people from making decisions they would otherwise make. However if you are in a situation where you are struggling to pay your bills even with a decent and regular income you must look at your own debt and see if there is something you can do about it. Your incentive must be a brighter future, perhaps regular holidays, the potential of a better retirement because you can put more aside for your later years and the establishment of an emergency fund.
Budgets
Successful businesses all have budgets and control over their finances. There is no reason why individuals should not follow the same principles of planning their financial lives, spending wisely and cutting out waste. If you have not written down details of your income as well as monthly bills then you should do so now. It can be the first step towards putting your finances in order and reaching a position where there may be fewer constraints on you when you are making decisions.
You may actually decide that after you prepare your income and expenditure list, effectively the beginnings of your budget, the next thing you should do is to apply for a loan. Current interest rates are relatively low and offers reflect that, even for those with a poor credit history. If you are paying a high rate of interest on a credit card balance or two you should certainly repay any balance, doing so with a new loan if necessary.
Find a Lender
There are good online lenders that make quick decisions on every application. They require some fairly basic information which shows their current status and how they might repay any new loan in the future. If this has got you thinking then why not do some research online? There will be plenty of information on a good website. You should look for evidence that the lender understands the importance of confidentiality and service. Obviously you want to see a competitive interest rate and how that will be reflected in the total amount to be repaid. Typical loans are repaid by installment, equal monthly amounts throughout the term of the loan. You will need to add those repayments to your budget but you will be able to take off the money you will be saving each month because you have settled other liabilities. In this case a new debt is very positive.