Debt Management
Debt management is not a one-size-fits-all solution but rather an amalgamation of choices you can make to best pay off your outstanding debts. Practicing good debt management is very important as it impacts your day-to-day reality, affecting situations like the ability to rent where you want or getting a better loan rate.
How to Manage Debt
If you have a large amount of debt, whether it be a student loan, or other debts like credit card debt, it can affect your credit score. Creating debt management plans, debt reduction strategies, or seeking the help of a credit counselor are all viable ways to help with your debt management. However, seeking the best solution depends on your unique situation, along with the type and amount of debt you owe.
How to Manage Debt of Any Size
- Know how much you owe.
- Pay your bills on time each month.
- Create a monthly bill payment calendar.
- Pay a little more than the minimum payment.
- Automate your payments.
- Decide which debts to pay off first.
- Stay within your spending limits.
- Avoid impulse purchases.
- Avoid “buy now, pay later”, “interest-free financing” that simply postpone debt.
- Save a little each month as an emergency fund to fall back on.
- Recognize the signs that you need help.
Credit Cards
When it comes to considering the best credit card deals for you, you should consider the account terms, such as interest rates, and if there are any credit card perks that could benefit you and your lifestyle. Also, you should take into consideration that when you're looking to acquire a new credit card, your credit history and credit scores will come into play.