It’s important to get out debt. Debt paralyses the budgets of families and individuals and makes a dent in their financial future. You can get out of debt right now. All you have to do is a bit of budgeting. Write down all your incomes then total up the incomes. Similarly down your total expenses.

Total the amount of expenses that you have. Then subtract the total of the expenses from the total of the revenues. If it’s positive, then you are able to save the pounds. In case its negative, it means that you are living beyond your income. Which is why you are taking debts to cover your expenses. Debts can also be taken as a measure for tax saving. However we are not talking about that financial aspect. When debt paralyses the financial future of the family, then its time that drastic measures should be taken.

Then look at the debts that you have taken. If you have taken a loan to buy the latest cell phone, the sell the cell phone and buy a cheaper one. Pay of the loan. Don’t buy an expensive model till you can afford to buy one. This should be a thumb rule for almost all the things that you buy. Stop buying on credit and you will get out of debt faster. Repay small loans such as payday loans since they attract a very high interest loans. You pay more in interest than you would for the principal.

Plan for the future. You should have short term, medium term and long-term investment plans. Therefore start saving and investing in the future. This will also get you out of debt. Getting out of debt also increase your credit rating. All individuals have a credit rating. The more positive the credit rating, better are your chances or getting the loans that you really require like the mortgage loan for the house.

In order to stay out of debt, youll need a contingency plan. Include:

– An emergency fund which you try to never, ever spend (only in case of severe emergencies).

– A for sure savings for your occasional large expenses (e.g. repairs, Christmas, taxes, etc).

– A buy stuff savings just to buy things that cost more than your monthly disposable income.

– An overdraft protection line of credit to protect you from returned check fees. Dont use it for anything other than to avoid bouncing checks.

– An empty credit card (one that you rarely if ever use keep it only for emergencies zero balance, zero interest).

Get into the habit of paying off your credit cards each month to avoid interest charges.

The greater the rate, the higher the risk. Get a safe return on at least part of your savings.
Dont co-sign on others loans. They may intend to pay, but you may actually pay. Too often, co-signers end up paying off loans they are unprepared for, and financial hardships follow. Numerous co-signors now have negative credit ratings because a primary borrower paid late. Many lenders do not notify the co-signor before reporting delinquencies or repossessions to the credit bureau.

Nothing is risk-free. If anyone claims a risk-free use of your money, they are lying, or they just dont understand that there is always risk involved if only opportunity risk.

Remember, when you borrow you are still spending future earnings, and eliminating future options. When you borrow, even at low rates you are still paying to use someone elses money.

The tax advantage of keeping a mortgage loan: You pay me 10,000 this year, and Ill get my Uncle Sam to let you deduct 2,000 from your taxes next year (if you are in the average tax bracket of 20%)