8 Steps for Getting Out of Debt
- Author Alan Olsen
- Published March 25, 2008
- Word count 448
The Average American spends a great deal more than they make every year. This results in a financial pitfall to them later in life. If you find yourself digging deeper into the empty wallet there are ten steps that you can use as a crutch to help free you of the overwhelming financial burden of debt.
-
Create and follow a budget - Creating a monthly budget will help you to track where your monthly income is going. In order to do this, you should add up how much your expenses will be for the month and then add up your monthly income. Once you have calculated how the money should be spent you should have some money left over for emergencies.
-
Stop spending what you don’t have - When you spend what you don’t have your debt is only climbing higher. If your monthly budget disables you from making a purchase, then the purchase should wait until the money is within your reach.
-
Learn to distinguish between wants and needs - In a world filled with televisions, computer games, luxury cars and other costly trinkets, our perspective on wants and needs at times becomes distorted. A need is something that is essential to your survival. Although sometimes we think that we will not be able to function without that big screen TV, waiting until the money is in the bank and paying cash for large purchases is a better option.
-
Spend less than you earn - After you have covered all of your monthly expenses there should be a little money left over. If not, adjust your monthly budget. You never know when an emergency may arise.
-
Track your spending - Many people who are in debt are unaware of where their money goes during the month. If you carry a notebook around and write down every penny that you spend when you make a purchase, you will be able to see where your money is going.
-
Pay yourself - Building up your savings monthly will only ensure that you do not fall into debt again. It is always good to have a little extra money stashed away.
-
Use a credit card responsibly-Credit cards are convenient for record keeping and budgeting, but can be dangerous if used improperly. You should not make purchases that you can not pay off at the end of the month.
-
Use a debit card - Debit cards will not allow you to spend more than you have in your account because it draws directly from your bank account. This way you cannot spend what you do not have.
Remember that the key to escaping debt is spending less than you earn.
Alan Olsen is the managing partner at Greenstein Rogoff Olsen & Co., a top Bay Area CPA firm. He focuses on developing innovative strategies for business enterprises and individuals. A specialist in income tax planning, he frequently lectures and writes articles on tax issues for professional organizations and community groups. His website is ranked among the top in the nation for accounting firms, featuring tax tools and business leadership articles: http://www.groco.com
Article source: https://articlebiz.comRate article
Article comments
There are no posted comments.
Related articles
- Costs of arranging a Mortgage in Spain
- Non resident Mortgages in Spain
- Effective Strategies for Paying Off Your Mortgage Faster
- How Does Equity Release Work?
- Florida First Time Homebuyer: The Indispensable Guide of Tips, Programs, and Resources
- How to Become Debit Free?
- Sellers Concession the Closing Cost Option
- Financing Short Term rentals with DSCR loans
- Why move to Roseville CA
- Simple Interest Mortgage Advantage
- Are Low Doc Commercial Loans available in Australia
- How to Obtain a Rural Agriculture Loan Quickly and Easily
- What is a Caveat Loan?
- Tips for improving your Credit Score before getting a Home Loan
- 3 Things To Look out for With An Equity Release Mortgage
- Manage your Debts by Refinancing your Current Home Loan
- How to Get a Home Loan with Unusual Employment or Income?
- 20 Effective Debt Consolidation Loans Tips with Bad Credit
- Tips for Choosing a Non Conforming Lender
- Why is a Good Credit Rating Important in Australia?
- Most Common Ways That People Fall Into Personal Bankruptcy
- How to Choose a Consumer Credit Counseling Agency?
- Consolidate Your Debts and Take Control of Your Finances
- How to get a Home Loan due to a Bad Credit Report
- Debt Consolidation Home Loans are a Solution to Multiple Debt Problems
- Facts You Should Know About Low Doc Home Loans in Australia
- No Doc Loans from Private Lenders
- Home Loans to Consolidate Debt for People with Bad Credit
- How Can I Get a Mortgage If I Have a Bad Credit History?
- Guidelines to Fix Bad Credit Effectively Through Dispute