Indians Guide to getting out of Debt

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With wide-spread availability of credit cards and home and personal loans more Indians are getting deep into debt. The savings rate in India is also edging down as more Indians adopt the western style of uncontrolled spending. Getting out of debt and staying out is not easy. The stress associated with making payments along with trying to control your spending habits can make life very difficult. Pay off the old debts, learn how not to incur new debt and change your life.

Steps

1

Stop adding to your debt. If you have more than one active credit card, cancel them. You will use your one credit card only to buy 'essentials' until you can get your spending fully under control. Also make yourself a promise to stop taking any new loans.

2

Track your spending- This is your key to getting out of debt, though it seems annoying. You're in debt because you spent money you didn't have. Your debt is not from one single huge purchase, it was random purchases collected over time. Write down every Rupee you spend, each day for one month no matter how small.

3

Organize your spending. Classify your monthly expenses into groups of 'Essentials', 'Necessities ', and 'luxury'. 'Essentials' are things which you can not do without, such as food, rent, medicine etc. 'Necessities ' are things that you need, but can do without for a little while, e.g., new clothes for work, cable TV, basic appliances etc. 'Luxuries' are things that you don't need, but enhance your life, e.g., personal electronic gadgets, weekly dinner in Hotels, vacations etc. By doing this, you'll have a picture of how you spend your money and be able to pinpoint where you need to cut back on spending. You don't want to eliminate all of the 'Necessities ' and 'Luxuries', but take a look at those first. One of your expenses will be paying off your debt. You will want to always pay more than the minimum required; otherwise it will take a really long time to eliminate your debt.

4

Make a budget :- Write down the amount you spent in each category of spending last month, as your budget for spending for the next month. Don't panic if you feel that the amount is too much. For now, just write it down.

5

Figure out how to skimp to pay debts- Looking at your new budget, you're able to see areas where you might be able to cut back. In doing this step, you need not come up with budget amounts that are unlivable. The key here is to be realistic. Chances are your budget has some fat that can be trimmed. At the end of this exercise, you should have come up with an amount of money that can be put toward debt paydown.Make a note of this figure. Day-to-day, just write down what you spend in the categories you are trying to cut back. This will give you a very clear idea of how well you are doing, and it may help you decide to hold back on a purchase, if you know you're going to go over your budgeted amount.

6

Estimate how much you owe, to whom, and on what terms - Gather your bills, and make a simple list or spreadsheet of all the debts you have. Write down all the pertinent facts, including name of the creditor, your total balance, your minimum monthly payment, and your interest rate.

7

Start paying it off. Take the debt pay down figure of money you trimmed from your budget, and apply it to debt repayment. It's a good idea to prioritize the debts to which you are going to apply this extra money. Do you have debts with exceedingly high interest rates? Most Credit Card companies in India have very high interest rates that compound on a monthly basis. Consider these top priorities once it is paid off, then you will have increased your debt pay down figure.

8

Consider a low interest loan – Getting a low interest personal loan from a bank might help you consolidate your various loans and lower your interest rates/payments. Do consider what the bank charges for fees though.

9

Sell Expensive or Liquidate Assets – Consider selling the luxury car or watch that your bought. If you have any assets that are not appreciating much over time then liquidate them so that you can pay less on interest.

10

Repeat. This process gets easier. Once you've figured out your spending and what debts you owe, keeping it up gets easier and easier. You'll refine your budget over time; increase the amount of money you can pay yourself and the amount you can put toward debt. Continue to pay off each debt in your priority list.

11

Don’t give up. Chances are you didn't get into debt in a day, and you won't get out of debt in a day. Quick fixes don't last, but learning how to manage your money can bring great peace into your life, and you can spend your mental energies on more fun things.

Tips

  • If creditors are hounding you, stop and take a deep breath. You will be okay.
  • Talk or write to them and let them know that you are committed to repaying the loan. If the company ever decides to take you to court, you will have proof that you are trying to pay off your debts. When you take the initiative to call and explain yourself, you may find them willing to help and may find they offer you terms that can help you get the debt back under control.
  • Contact your credit card companies or banks, for help. They aren't likely to forgive you your loan, but they may be willing to reduce your interest rate. Creditors do not want you to default on your loan and they want their principal back.
  • Pay yourself first. Many people in debt put their creditors first and themselves last. Create a budget category for a "contingency fund" to help create a cushioning fund. Setting aside something, anything, for unexpected expenses is a great start.
  • Can you earn more? Most people can figure out a way to bring in more income relatively painlessly. Do you have a skill or a hobby from which you could earn some income? Do you have time to get a 2nd job working on the weekends or becoming a sales agent for a mutual fund or life insurance company? If so, this money could be put directly toward debt, and might build an entirely new stream of income potential for you over time.
  • Use cash as much as possible. Paying with cash has a more significant psychological impact than plastic. It feels like you're spending more money so you spend less.
  • Remember: Minimum payments lead to the maximum amount of money paid over time. Paying more than the minimum applies more money to the balance, which decreases the amount of money you will end up paying overall.
  • Realize that Credit Card companies want you to remain in debt paying a minimum payment on their credit cards every month for the rest of your life! It is much better to use a debit card issued by your account's bank. That way you can still use the convenience of "plastic" for purchases, but the money is deducted from your checking account and you avoid any more debt. And by closing your credit card account a couple of months after paying it off, you'll keep a good listing on your credit report for it.
  • If you want something, save for it and then buy it. You should only finance items that are absolute necessities (home and car). Don't finance furniture, appliances or vacations, you can't afford it!

Caution

  • Chronic spending and debt can be a harmful habit, just like alcoholism or any other addiction. Spending can be an escape, or can be used to mask deeper issues.
  • Try not to give too much personal information to a collections agency as everything you say is entered into records.. Keep the conversations short and sweet. Don't be temped to answer personal questions.
  • If a Collector is being rude or harassing you let him know that you will contact your local Police Station and lodge a complaint.

Comments

I took a car loan now lost

I took a car loan now lost the job and cant afford to pay what to do?

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