My own story is a perfect example of ignoring debt problems, hoping they go away. So i thought it a good time to talk about debt, and how to handle it when it seems out of control .There’s just one key piece of advice in this ‘t ignore debt.
Don’t Ignore Debt – My Story
If you have debts you simply do not earn enough to pay off, it is not surprising if you ignore them. This is not the right course of action, but you can understand why people do it. The other option seems too embarrassing to contemplate. Bankruptcy or a similar scheme such as an IVA. These can help people out of debt and give them a path towards a brighter future. But it comes with social stigma, or so people think.
I was ignoring debt for years. I paid the minimum amounts possible and pay a fortune in interest charges. My debt was not really decreasing. I was saved by the pandemic, which is not how i wanted to sort out matters! But i saved money, opened my eyes to debt, and did something about it.
Debt Does Not Disappear
The fact is, that if you do not deal with a debt problem, it will never go away. Ever. The stress and the strain of having it will remain. What’s more, you will never have the freedom to do what you want, as financially you will not have the ability to. So it pays to take some short-term pain and confront your debt head-on.
Don’t Ignore Debt – It’s Good To Talk
The first thing you must do is talk to someone. Talk to an expert who can help you take the first steps towards eliminating or at least reducing your debts. This talk can be with two types of people. If you struggle to make repayments on a particular debt, then contact the creditor and tell them immediately. They will work with you to find a solution. This may involve restructuring your repayments into lower monthly payments. Secondly, talk to a financial adviser, and see what steps you need to take. You will feel better for reaching out and seeking advice. And even better when you act on that advice.
Options
The nuclear option if you see no other way out is bankruptcy or a debt program. Less invasive options involve restructuring the debt you have. Look into debt consolidation, and see if you can move debt onto a lower interest rate, or perhaps no interest at all. Look into your own finances and consider how you can reduce what you spend each month. The more you save, the more can be used to pay off debt. Also look into obtaining extra income, or making money by selling off unwanted items.
