Every year, tens of thousands of US citizens struggle to avoid bankruptcy for a variety of reasons, from medical bills to irresponsible loans. Whatever the reason for the financial uncertainty, dealing with these issues can help you maintain a decent credit rating and improve your chances of making ends meet on a monthly basis.
Here are five ways to avoid bankruptcy and stay afloat when it comes to your finances. You can’t fix what you can’t quantify, and that’s a big part of the problem with personal finance, but it’s something worth addressing.
You can improve the health of your report by ensuring that there are no errors, and you can quickly correct errors by calling your creditors. Read the report carefully and look for signs of fraud such as late payments, late fees, or credit card fraud. You wouldn’t want your score to suffer because of someone else’s mistakes, so you need to start with your credit report.
On a psychological level, reducing multiple debts simultaneously gives you a sense of fulfillment, which helps you feel motivated for the rest of the process. Release as many small balances as possible, even if they are not yet due or overdue. Not only will this have a direct impact on your total debt, but it will also be in your favor to make full repayments when they come due. There are a few relatively small amounts that could be repaid immediately, such as a credit card or car loan. By paying off these small amounts, you can use the savings toward increasing payments to other obligations in the future.
It is always worth checking, but make sure you have spoken to the right people and explain your situation. In some cases, lenders have agreed to lower the rate if you just call and ask. It is up to each firm that takes out a loan to decide whether to cut its rate, so it is always worth checking.
Lenders tend to be more receptive when communication is open, especially in the early stages of the lending process, when they are more aware of your situation and needs.
If you’re having trouble cutting back on spending, calculate how much your monthly subscriptions cost nowadays, and decide if they’re worth the money. Consider keeping just one vehicle, downgrading your cable package, or canceling an activity or location you rarely visit.
Look at your current issues, decide if they can be canceled, and, if so, what to do. With a few accounts you need to look at, it’s easier to manage your finances.
Keep an eye on where your money is going and try to find alternative options, or even an offer from a financial institution that can lower your interest rate or is willing to waive default fees. By contacting one of our credit counselors, you can get help identifying important aspects of your budget that need to be reassessed. For this reason, debt counseling can be an important resource for anyone trying to avoid bankruptcy.
With careful planning and good budgeting, you can avoid bankruptcies and are well on your way to managing your credit. It is important to take control of your finances as soon as you realize that they can get out of control.