Ceri Austin 
Debt can have serious repercussions for both mental and physical health. If you’re dealing with debt stress, it’s essential to comprehend your situation and find solutions for managing it effectively.
Controlling your finances can help you avoid financial stress and reduce the amount of interest and fees paid on debt. Here are some tips to get you started.
1. Create a Budget
Establishing a budget is an effective way to take control of your financial situation and reduce stress. It provides you with a plan that will enable you to save money and reach your financial objectives more quickly.
Begin by listing your fixed expenses–regular monthly bills like rent or mortgage, utilities and car payments. Afterward, add in variable costs that may change from month to month (like groceries and gas).
Once your list is complete, compare it with your net income. Doing this can help identify money leaks and uncover opportunities to redirect some of your spending towards reaching your objectives.
For instance, you could allocate spending on dining out towards debt repayment or invest that extra cash into a savings account instead. The key here is setting realistic goals and sticking with them for at least several months.
2. Set Goals
Setting goals is an effective way to ensure your financial plan is in line with long-term objectives. Examples include helping children complete school, maintaining retirement lifestyle or paying off debt.
Financial goals should be specific, measurable, achievable and realistic with a timeline in order to stay motivated and on track. With an unclear end date or lack of specificity around the objective, you may experience fatigue and eventually give up completely.
Setting smaller, achievable milestones along the way can be extremely motivating. Saving for a new smartphone or taking a vacation will give you an emotional high when you reach each one.
3. Create a Payment Plan
If you’re having difficulty paying off debts, a credit counselor can help create a payment plan that makes managing money easier. These plans work by negotiating with creditors on your behalf to reduce interest payments and consolidate all of your debt into one monthly payment, making it simpler for you to stay on track financially.
Once you’ve devised a strategy, take it one step at a time. Begin by creating a budget that will enable you to contribute more money towards paying off debts.
4. Make a List of Your Credit Card Accounts
If you’re experiencing financial strain due to credit card debt, the first step is creating a comprehensive list of all your accounts. Include all current balances, monthly payments and interest rates on these items.
Once you identify which bills are the most pressing, take steps to pay them off faster. One strategy is the debt snowball method – making minimum payments on all cards but setting aside extra money for the one with the smallest balance.
With this strategy, you’ll pay off those small balances quickly and reduce your total credit card debt. Furthermore, this will help you develop good credit habits and develop financial discipline that will serve you in the long run.
5. Make a List of Your Loans
One of the best ways to manage debt is by creating a list of all your loans. Whether you write them down or use a spreadsheet, be sure to note the lender, current balance, interest rate and monthly payment due date for each debt. This will help ensure you stay organized while managing payments effectively.
Next, calculate your total minimum payments for each loan and add them up to determine the bare minimum amount you must pay each month in order to stay current on all debts. Finally, set up automatic payments whenever possible in order to avoid late fees or interest rate hikes.
