Managing Debt - What Should You Pay Off First?
A new financial year will start the next month, time to get a reality check - how much you owe, how much you have already paid, what is the size of the emergency cushion, and how much wealth you have built. The soaring cost of living is a highly contributing factor to pushing you over the edge, but you cannot ignore the fact that changing your spending habits can prevent you from falling into the web of debt.
Steps to take first
Experts suggest that you identify how much you owe, to whom you have to pay and how much you need to pay each month. Not to mention, your priorities will be your mortgage payments or rent, car loan payments and other secured loans. You are at risk of losing your property when you fail to pay off these debts.
Then look at the expenses including small personal loans from a direct lender in the UK and find out how you will manage to pay them.
Does your budget have a scope to clear all of them?
Can you make a minimum payment only?
Is it possible to pay down more than the bare minimum?
Do you want to consolidate your debts?
Is there any way to choose a different payment plan?
If you are unable to keep up with payments because your financial condition has turned upside down, think of claiming a benefit. For instance, if you have lost your job, you should apply for unemployment benefits. Seek if you are eligible for other benefits to help you pay off your debts.
Create a budget
Once you have identified the exact amount of debt you owe, you should create a budget. Cut back on your discretionary expenses to smoothly pay off your debts especially mortgage or rent, car loan or any other secured loans.
If you find that your budget has the scope for making payments on big debts but not other debts like credit card bills, you should talk to your lender immediately. Do not forget that these debts are to be paid off in a lump sum. If you do not clear the dues at once, the debt will quickly add up.
Talk to your lender
Talk to your lender and discuss what options you have. It is vital to talk about your financial difficulties before getting into a debt spiral. There is no guarantee that your lenders will be able to propose to you a plan that works for you, but taking them in confidence will let you escape the negative consequences of non-payment.
They might revise your repayment plan. In this method, if you choose to make minimum payments, the total interest you will end up paying will be quite high as it will continue to accrue on your unpaid balance. Assess carefully whether the proposed payment plan is actually worthwhile. You can also take out debt consolidation loans.
However, it is crucial to bear in mind that consolidation is not always a feasible option. You must have a good credit score to qualify for it. Not always are they the best idea as they can result them in a secured loan. If you fail to pay off your debt, you will lose your secured asset.
Seek a “breathing space” scheme
You can apply for this scheme if you are seeking debt advice or receiving mental health crisis treatment. The scheme lasts for two months. You will have enough time to know what to do with your debt.
What if there is no chance of paying off debt?
It is no wonder that you are up to your neck in debt. If you notice that there is no prospect of paying off the debt, you should consider the following alternatives:
Bankruptcy
It seems easy, but it is not. An official will be appointed to repay your outstanding debts from your estate. Do not assume that by filing a bankruptcy, you can beat the debt payments. You can even lose your house if you own it.
The bankruptcy will affect your credit score for at least six years, though all your debts will be written off within one year of filing it.
Individual voluntary agreement (IVA)
Your insolvency practitioner will talk to your lenders to accept payments over a certain period of time. If the deal is clinched, interest rates on unsecured loans will be frozen.
The bottom line
Once you have fallen into debt, it can be quite tricky to pay it off. However, there are certain ways to deal with them. You should create a budget and see how much you can actually pay off. Talk to your lenders to see if they can put you on another repayment plan. Consider consolidation loans. If your budget does not have the faintest scope to pay off your dues, you should consider applying for either bankruptcy or IVA.







