Take A Good Look At Your Finances
The first step is to assess your financial situation to see exactly where you are. Tally up everything, including how much you have in assets and savings, and how much you owe. This is your launching point, showing you what you have to work with, and what you need to pay down first.
Step 1: Add Up Your Total Debt
As part of your financial picture, make a list of all of your loans and other forms of debt. A spreadsheet is helpful for this step, but even creating a handwritten list is useful. On your list or spreadsheet, include the name of each institution, the amount of money owed, and the interest rate for each loan.
Step 2: Put Money Aside Every Month
Each time you get paid, put money aside. Create a savings account for the sole purpose of paying down loans. Use this account to make payments on what you owe, thus bringing down your balances. Make it a habit to pay down debt every month, even if it’s a small amount. This habit will serve you well your whole life.
Step 3: Pay Down Your Debt At Least Once A Month
While monthly payments are a must, you can make payments twice a month, or even weekly, to get out of debt more quickly. The more you get into the practice of paying back what you borrow, the faster you’ll get out of debt, and the better position you’ll be in for the next time you need a loan, whether for home remodeling, paying for school, getting a car, taking care of emergencies, or any other reason.
Step 4: Curb Spending
Take a close look at the money you spend. Before taking out your wallet and grabbing your credit card to make a purchase, ask yourself, “Do I really need this?” Chances are, you don’t. Save your money instead of spending it. You’ll have more available to pay down your debts.
Step 5: Look For Bargains
When you absolutely must purchase something, such as a new pair of shoes for work because your current ones have worn through, or a new water heater because your old one has stopped working, look for deals. Price around, find the sales, and use coupons. It never hurts to ask for a discount; the worst that can happen is you’ll get a “no,” but you may be in for a pleasant surprise when the vendor is willing to offer you ten, fifteen, or even twenty percent (or more) off on your purchase or on services rendered.
Step 6: Sell What You No Longer Need
There’s a good chance that, over the years, you’ve accumulated items you no longer need. If possible, scale down and sell your extras. If you have three cars, consider selling one that barely gets used. If you have expensive gym equipment or electronics you hardly use, think about selling. Then apply what you get from selling your wares to paying down your loans.
Step 7: Adopt Frugality For Life
Now that you’ve gotten into the habit of saving more, spending less, and paying down debt, keep going. This is a habit that will serve you well for life. Living more frugally will help your financial picture and put your mind at ease.
When You Need A Loan
As you pay down your loans and work your way to getting out of debt, there may be times when you urgently need money to pay for an unforeseen expense. Maybe you need to cover out-of-pocket expenses related to an emergency medical procedure for a loved one, or you find yourself having to pay for training that will make you more marketable. A short-term loan can help you pay for unexpected expenses even as you continue to pay off your overall debt.
Look to Your Loan Depot when you need cash quickly but don’t want to take out a huge loan. We have offices in Stephenville, Corsicana, Mansfield, and several other payday loan locations throughout Texas to serve you. Start by filling out our payday loan application to see how much you qualify for. Be sure to keep following the steps outlined above to get yourself out of debt, but rest assured that you can turn to Your Loan Depot when you need a short-term loan for unexpected expenses.
