Posts Tagged ‘debt’

Finances: How to Dig Yourself Out of Debt When You Get a Job

February 7th, 2011

By Bethany Ramos

It’s no secret that the economy has had its share of ups and downs, and more Americans than ever are struggling with the realities of unemployment.You may have had savings to survive for a few months without a job, but as that period of unemployment became longer and longer, you too may be struggling with piles of debt. If you have had the fortune to finally get another job, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is smooth sailing from then on. You now have to use your existing income to continue to support yourself and your family while attempting to climb out of debt.

To make the process manageable, here are some debt relief tips to help you get back on your feet as you enter the workforce once again:

  • Assess your finances. In order to pay off your debt with your new income, you must have a clear picture of your financial situation. This means that you need to take into account how much money you will be taking home versus how much money you need to spend monthly on bills, utilities, mortgage, etc. The remaining amount should be put toward your outstanding debt, allowing you to slowly pay it off so that you can finally get back on your feet. » Read more: Finances: How to Dig Yourself Out of Debt When You Get a Job

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Finances: 5 Tips for Paying Down Your Debt Quickly

January 9th, 2011

By Diane Johnson

Debt: once you’re in, it’s hard to get out. Some debt is unavoidable, like when buying a car or house, or being laid off for a long period of time, and sometimes debt is just bad judgment. No matter the reason, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Here are five tips for paying down your debt quickly.

1.      Pay More Than the Minimum

The banks want you to keep paying the minimum amount required. This keeps you in debt longer, and it keeps the bank accumulating interest. Make some sacrifices in your budget, and try doubling your minimum payment. You’ll be surprised how much quicker you will be debt free.

2.      The Snowball-Method Repayment Plan

This method applies mostly to credit card debt. You first agree to meet the minimum requirement of all your cards. Instead of breaking up any remaining money among the cards, you pour all your extra money into the credit card with the smallest amount owed. You do this until it is completely paid off, and then you start with the next smallest amount, assigning the money you would have spent on the paid-off card to the next one. The amount of money you can put toward your larger debt will begin to “snowball,” and you will find yourself out of debt sooner than you thought possible. » Read more: Finances: 5 Tips for Paying Down Your Debt Quickly

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Foreclosure, Debt and Credit (video)

December 7th, 2010

Barbara Anthony, Massachusetts Undersecretary of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, talks about these unpleasant but very real issues.

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