If you’re feeling trapped by your finances then it’s understandable that you may wish to bury their head in the sand due to the emotional overwhelm one can experience when in debt, indeed, life can feel very much out of control and when people don’t even know where to start they tend to avoid taking action, and for this reason the issues tends to snowball out of control.
Debt can be stressful, but the idea of debt in itself isn’t stressful. Debt in the form of a personal loan can be associated with a sense of freedom. It enables you to do the things you want to do, in the short term, but could come at a high cost in the long-term unless you manage your finances responsibly.
The stress people feel when in debt tends to come from the debt collection activities that ensure when people fall behind with their payments.
The prospect of consolidating your debt into one larger amount in order to pay off the smaller bits of debt you have can offer immediate and permanent relief from the stress that comes with being behind with payments.
The main benefit of consolidating your debt, aside from the obvious financial benefit of avoiding late charges being applied and compounding, is that you’re now dealing with just one creditor rather than several and can get things back on track.
This way, rather than having a number of debts with late payments (which can seriously affect your credit score) you now have just one debt with payments that are (hopefully) being made on time.
Here are three fundamental principles that will help you take charge of your credit record and consider whether consolidating your debt is the right move for you to make.
1. KNOW WHERE YOU STAND
First thing’s first. You need to check your credit report and find out where you are now regarding your financial situation. Check your credit report for any possible errors. Some credit reports contain many errors and this can be due to simple administrative issues or more complex matters such as identity fraud. You can also see if there are any late payments incorrectly listed for any accounts and dispute any errors you do find with the credit bureau.
2. GET BACK ON TRACK
If you have missed payments, then stop worrying about this – the damage is done – all you have control over is the current moment which will directly affect what happens next; and the best thing you can do moving forward is to ensure your bills are paid on time. Sometimes, borrowing money with a personal loan can be a justifiable and viable way to consolidate your debts and get back on track.
3. REBUILD
It’s important to be mindful of the steps you need to take before applying for a loan, but one of the most important steps in rebuilding your credit history is actually getting credit. There are many financial products available from specialist companies that can help people in financial difficulty to consolidate their debt into one manageable monthly amount – even those with poor credit records.
RELIEF IS POSSIBLE
Struggling with any amount of debt can be a stressful experience. It’s possible to find relief and come out on the other end. With patience and the right steps, you can be out of debt and living a life of freedom.
