Debt has become a perpetual financial roadblock for most Americans but few choose to discuss it. There are several ways to avoid crippling debt, but if you are already in one, then you can reach out to an expert who can discuss your numbers with you and help you pull yourself out of it. Debt paired with a bad credit rating can cause even more problems. A crucial step in managing personal finances is to be cautious about managing debts right from day one in anticipation of any bad market scenario, job loss, or sudden expenses.

Understanding the types of debt

It is important to understand that not all debts are bad. Debts are categorized as “good” and “bad”. Good debt is characterized by borrowing or taking money that might create more income in future. When a person borrows an amount for something extremely essential, one that they comfortably pay back each month, then that is good debt. Good debt is what happens when borrowers plan the amount they need, keeping in mind their income, and anticipating any event that can result in a cash crunch. The money is usually spent on something that is likely to reap higher returns, such as a student loan.

Bad debts are what call for a debt management plan (DMP). When someone borrows money without looking at their personal finances that leads them to resort to drastic measures such as making major changes to their monthly budgets, then it mostly creates bad debt. A bad debt arises when one spends on/borrows money for something whose value only goes down with time. Impulsive purchases of inessential items using credit cards can lead one to end up in bad debt (this is also one of the most common ways people fall prey to debt). Debts can also be categorized as short-term (short-term car and medical loans, 401(k)loans, etc.) and long-term (student and home loans).

How to know if you’re inching towards a debt problem?

While debt management tips should be followed by everyone, from the moment they take money on credit, not all end up needing strict debt management plans. Here are some things indicating that you are heading towards bad debt:

• If you notice that a growing percentage of your income is going towards paying off debts, then you may want to do some damage control before it’s too late.
• If you are constantly late in paying your bills.
• If you feel that you don’t have enough for essentials such as food and fuel and have to resort to cash advances to pay for the same.
• You have a small amount or no amount saved at all.
• If you are getting an increasing number of calls from debt collectors and overdue notices more frequently.
• If you are increasingly borrowing money from friends and family and utilizing payday loans for essential utilities, then that may also be a red flag.

Solutions for managing debt

The first step to effective debt management is recognizing the problem and acknowledging it. A lot of debt problems worsen overtime, as one continues to stay in denial of the need for a solid debt management plan. Some ways to deal with your debt are credit counseling services, debt consolidation, and in the worst cases, filing for bankruptcy.

• Credit counseling services

Debt management through credit counseling will involve a financial expert looking at the entire financial history of the person seeking help. These services offer the resources and tools to tackle debt and overcome it through a customized plan based on the person’s debt amount, income, and expenditure. Some of these resources would include directing them towards appropriate educational programs to understand money management. It will usually involve complete guidance on setting up a monthly budget and helping recognize the areas where one should not be spending more or at all. This is typically where a solid debt management plan comes into picture.

Some sources through which one can get credit counseling services at an affordable cost include credit unions, nonprofit agencies, and religious organizations among others. If you choose to go down the path of credit counseling for debt management, then make sure you choose an agency that is accredited by the National Foundation of Credit Counseling (NFCC) or Financial Counseling Association of America (FCAA).

• Debt consolidation

This debt management solution involves rolling multiple payments towards debt into a single one to simplify the process for the debtor. In some cases, debt consolidation can also help in lowering the amount that is paid each month. However, this should be done only after consulting an expert through credit counseling or any other source.

• Filing for bankruptcy

For individuals who find themselves deep in debt and have already exhausted all the possible debt management solutions, the ideal way out is filing for bankruptcy. But this will involve liquidating a significant number of assets and setting up a payment plan. It is important to remember that this step is recorded on your credit report and stays on it for a long time. Filing for bankruptcy can help with getting a fresh start but it can come in the way of getting new jobs, life insurance, and more. Since filing for bankruptcy is complicated and involves dealing with complex procedures, it is better to do so only with the help of an attorney.

• Debt Settlement

This involves paying a large sum towards the debt at one go that drastically reduces the amount the debtor would have otherwise had to pay. This will typically be a quarter to half of the amount that was originally meant to be paid. If the creditor accepts such a lump-sum payment, then the debt is settled. However, it is important to remember that this has a negative impact on your credit rating for a period of time. Debt settlement is done through dedicated agencies/companies that will negotiate on your behalf with the creditors. However, before taking this step, it is necessary to have weighed out all other options.

• Debt transfer

There are special credit card accounts that can be used for clearing debts by transferring them to those accounts. Some credit card companies offer zero percent annual percentage rate (APR) periods, which enable the account-holder to pay off the debt without being charged any interest. The duration of the period differs from company to company and can range anywhere from six to 18 months. If you opt for this method to settle your debt, then ensure that you transfer just the amount of debt that you will be able to handle during the zero percent APR period. If you are able to completely or partially take care of your debt within the introductory period, then you can even eliminate this account without any paying interest for the payments. However, it is important to note that you may not qualify for a zero percent APR card if you do not have a good credit score.

What is a debt management plan?

A debt management plan or program is something that a credit counselor creates with the creditor and debtor to help the latter get out of a debt effectively. This involves negotiating certain debt terms such as changes in the amount paid monthly or interest rates. It also involves negotiating any pending penalties to be forgiven in part or full. In most cases, debt consolidation is a part of such plans. These plans generally focus on reducing unsecured debt. Some advantages of adopting a debt management plan are:

• It facilitates debt consolidation without letting the debtor go into more debt
• Creditors are made aware that the debtor is working towards paying off the debt. In many cases, creditors stop calling the debtor often, allowing time for the plan to work out as scheduled.
• The person in debt gets a clear picture of where their finances stand. It can make spending and saving more organized and punctual.
• The financial goals of debt management plans are set to doable levels so that one can set a realistic budget.
• A debt management plan involves creating a schedule for payments, which needs to be followed strictly for it to work. These timely payments can help in improving the person’s credit scores.

Some factors you need to know before starting a debt management plan are:

• You may not be able to apply for any additional credit while working on the plan. Also, be prepared to cut down on expenses on inessentials that may be adding to your monthly expenditure.
• A DMP typically takes three to five years to come to fruition. However, this is not a long-term solution to get you off debt problems completely. It also requires a lot of commitment.
• Any discount on the interest rate or payment made by the creditor can be lost if you are late in making your payments.
• You will still have to pay other debts, if any, as this plan mostly takes care of unsecured debts.
• You may have to close all or most of your credit card accounts when you enroll in a debt management plan. Some counselors allow you to keep just a single account for emergencies.
• While credit counselors do most of the talking and negotiating with the creditors to get your debt terms changed, it is imperative for you to personally speak to your creditors about whether the proposed terms have been accepted and other concerns that you may have.
• You may not be eligible to get a debt management plan if your payments have been late for many months. Additionally, you may not be considered for the plan if you have a more-than-adequate monthly income to clear the debt without discounts on interest rates or the principal amount.

If you’re not indebted but want to take precautionary measures so that your finances don’t go haywire, then here are a few more tips:

• First things first, take a close look at your monthly income and calculate how much you spend on utilities and current debts, if any. A clear idea of one’s financials is key to effective debt management.
• You may want to keep only one or two credit card accounts to keep track of your spending and avoid any unnecessary credit purchases.
• The golden rule of maintaining a good credit score and avoiding going into severe debt is to ensure that you make the minimum monthly payments on time.
• If you have multiple debts, then you can always choose a repayment strategy that can let you concentrate on one debt at a time. It is ideal to start off with the one with the highest interest rate and settle it before moving on to the next. This is especially helpful if you feel that your monthly financials are all over the place. This is also a helpful strategy for those who do not qualify for a DMP owing to sufficient income.
• If you cut down on expenses for essentials, ensure that some part of it is put towards repayment. This can speed up your debt repayments considerably.

Following your DMP religiously gets you more benefits apart from just paying off your debts. It can significantly improve your credit score and even get you habituated to paying bills regularly. Being on a DMP does not prevent you from taking secured credit. If you are unable to handle your debt payments yourself, do not hesitate to get help from accredited institutions. Before you decide to get a DMP from an agency, make sure you do your homework and thoroughly research organizations. The best way to get out of debt is to improve your credit history, mostly through a long-term plan. If you have just started earning, then make sure you save a minimum of 5-10 percent each month—if possible—to avoid living paycheck-to-paycheck. This can act as a handy reserve for emergency expenditure and can also help you avoid incurring a large debt in future years.