9 Steps to Achieve Auto, Mortgage, and Credit Card Debt Payoff
When you are neck-deep in debt, it may seem like it’s impossible to ever be able to pay it all back. The key is to take it step by step and start paying it off. Here are some tips that can get the ball rolling and get help with auto loans, your mortgage, credit card debt payoff, and other sources of debt.
Create a List of Your Debts and Expenses
Your first step is to take stock of debts you have and any recurring expenses that must be paid. This list might have things like student debt and credit card payments. Think of anything you might be paying the minimum amount for each month. Don’t forget about any buy-now, pay-later loans. Recurring expenses are things you need to pay for, such as utilities like power and water, along with groceries. Factor all of these into your monthly budget.
Create Goals for Credit Card Debt Payoff
Your overall goal is likely to be debt-free. This, of course, is a long-term goal. It can help to make your goals more bite-sized. Start with short-term goals that are easier to achieve to build momentum. To help, why not try ruthless prioritization. Prioritize which debts you want to be paid off first. Need quick wins? Start small and work your way up. Want to save more money faster? Maybe focus on high-interest loans first.
Eliminating High-Interest Loans
Let’s say you want to save more money. One way to start tackling debt is to start with your high-interest loans. It might be possible to negotiate with your lender for a lower interest rate, but you’ll need a good credit rating. You might also be able to consolidate your cards for a lower interest rate. Use a tool like a credit card interest calculator to see how much interest you are paying on different loans. Target the loans generating the highest interest. By targeting these, you’ll have to pay less month over month. The money you would be paying on interest can now go towards the principal, creating a loop that keeps paying down interest until the loan is paid off.
Utilizing the Snowball Method
The Snowball Method, coined by financial author Dave Ramsey, is a simple way to pay off debt. Start with the smallest debt you have and use any extra money you have to pay it off. This eliminates minimum monthly payments from it. It may be tempting to splurge now that you have extra money. Instead, use it to start paying off your next debt. The $75 you were paying each month on your first credit card can now be put towards a second card, which you were also making minimum payments on. It’ll be paid off faster. Then you move on to the next debt. It snowballs, and eventually you can achieve your credit card debt payoff. Now you can start in on your student loans, and you will soon be financially better off.
Make a Timeline for Paying Off Debt
No matter how you go about achieving credit card debt payoff, it’s going to take time and effort. The chances are good that it will take months to start paying off debt. This, however, is better than taking decades to pay it off and having loan collectors harassing you. It will all be worth it in the end when you are debt-free. To get there, it can help to plan out a timeline of when you will have your debt paid off. Make this timeline your goal. When you mark off a debt as paid on your timeline, you are getting closer to crossing off the next debt. You are closer to achieving auto, mortgage, student loan, or credit card debt payoff. This directly translates to having more money down the line.
Assess Your Income and Stick to a Monthly Budget
Once you have a list of debts and expenses and a timeline for paying off your debts, it’s time to evaluate your income and your monthly budget. Your first step is to compare your monthly take-home income against bills you have to pay. If possible, try to find cheaper alternatives for things you might need to buy, such as diapers if you have small children. Consider eliminating a streaming service or two that you don’t use as much. Try to reduce or eliminate as many recurring expenses that are not necessary as possible.
Save and Scrimp
Compare your monthly budget to your lifestyle. Eating out or having your dinner delivered often may take out having to make your own food, but is not good for your budget. Until your debt is gone, you will want to cut back. You’ll have money to eat out again once your debt is paid off. Pay down what you have already spent, buy food at the grocery store where it is cheaper, and you will be able to save money to pay off your debt. You can apply this concept to other areas of your life to save money. Time and money often have an inverse relationship, so you may need to be prepared to dedicate more time to your efforts. Otherwise, it will take much longer to achieve credit card debt payoff.
Mark Your Calendar for Payments
When is each bill you have to pay due? You might get your paycheck twice a month but have to pay all of your bills at once. Ask your lenders if you can change the due date for some of your bills to ease the burden. Many lenders are willing to help you stagger your payments, whether it’s for utilities, student loans, car payments, or credit cards.
Pay Automatically
Now that you have a payment calendar, it’s time to set up automatic payments. Do this for all bills that allow it. There might be late fees or an increase in your interest rate for missing a minimum payment. Even at minimum payments, automatic payments make sure this doesn’t happen. You won’t forget to pay if it’s automatically taken out of your account. It’s best to think that you never had this money, as it was already going to go to pay bills. Instead, the bills will be paid. You won’t have to worry about missing a payment, and you can see how much money you have left over to pay down other bills or for other expenses.
About Tally
Tally’s goal is to help you take control of your finances and get back to focusing on the things that truly matter. To do that, Tally aims to help you break free from debt. Everyone deserves to be debt-free. The Tally system was created by people who know and experienced credit card debt, and who seek to level a financial playing field that is intentionally complex. With Tally, you can see if you’re qualified for a lower-interest credit line to consolidate your credit card balances, helping you be less stressed and better off financially. It can save you money on credit card interest and give you an organized plan to break free from debt. Get the credit card debt support you need. Turn to Tally when you need help with financial matters.
Get help with your financial situation at https://www.meettally.com/
Disclosures: Tally Technologies, Inc. (NMLS # 1492782 NMLS Consumer Access. Lines of credit issued by Cross River Bank, Member FDIC, or Tally Technologies, Inc. (“Tally”), as noted in your line of credit agreement. Lines of credit not available in all states.
