How to get out of debt

Mrs Manager · #1 (**permalink**) 08-27-2006, 07:04 PM

Here's a few tips before I grab hold of the investments board.

How to cut your outgoings and control your finances to get out of debt the Mrs Manager way:

1. Do you really need a car as nice as that? Check your operating costs of your auto, gas, insurance, taxes, maintainance, the lot. Cut them down by selling your existing auto for a cheaper one, or just sell it and go public transport if you can. How much would you save?

2. Do you really need that size house? Is your mortgage crippling you? Is your lease simply manageable? Look to downsize into the bare minimum that you can live in, you will find that you can save a few hundred per month to go towards your payments.

3. Use your debit card for EVERY single purchase for one month and then look at your statement and analyze it. Where are you spending too much money, where can you cut corners? Make a budget that is bare bones, literally just enough to get by. Spend cash only, nothing else.

4. Cut down on grocery bills by buying cheaper non-branded products and limit yourself to only one treat per week, like a small bag of candy you can spread through the week. Cut down spending as much as you can while still eating well. Also don't eat out even for cold snacks.

5. If you drink and smoke, cut out beer and cigarettes to a minimum. If you drink two nights a week, just do one night. Then try once a fortnight.

6. If you're still having problems then contact your creditors and see if your can renegotiate your terms, such as extended loan period and even lower interest rate. Paying longer means paying more in the long run but if you really are struggling the key to debt management is to make it affordable.

See if anyone else agrees and if it helps anyone else.

LilOne1989 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-31-2006, 09:41 PM

Those are very good ideas. Also when you go to the store, any store take a list and stick to it. When you go to the grocery store check you whole house top to bottom and list everything you need now and what you are going to need very soon and get what is on your list.

It never fails I will forget my list and then I will buy things I do not need and forget things I do. Then I have to go back the next day and buy what I forgot and end up picking up more things I don't really need. I could save so much money if I would just remember my list!

brian · #3 (**permalink**) 09-02-2006, 12:32 PM

I like the idea of the treat, too - that way you don't feel too much underfoot and can at least let loose in a limited manner - rather than feel so bad you just blow it because you need a release.

If that makes sense.

DJDizzy1 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-05-2006, 02:48 AM

I have another tip relating to buying food and going grocery shopping. Buy at Dollar stores! I am not ashamed to say I am a constant shopper at several dollar stores. Most carry the same name brand items you buy in the grocery store but at reduced prices. I have never noticed a problem with quality of items either.

They also sell personal care items and about any thing else you could need.

Also try to avoid buying already made frozen dinners and premade meals. Try instead buying frozen whole meats. If you buy a lot of fresh fruit I would defintely reccomend some type of press and seal kit. It just spoils to fast if you leave it uncovered.

palefrost · #5 (**permalink**) 09-05-2006, 03:13 PM

I haven't seen a dollar store in forever! They were everywhere and now gone near me. I always enjoyed strolling through them to! Im a horrible impulse buyer so i shop online for grocery now and am saving alot of money then being tempted by unnecessary junk at the store.

parrotbay · #6 (**permalink**) 09-05-2006, 08:33 PM

I would like to add that the first thing is first, get rid of all those credit cards! Also read your statements and verify that you are still not being billed for services that you no longer use. you may want to keep one card for emergencies, but make sure to have a low limit and pay it off at the end of every month.

DJDizzy1 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-06-2006, 06:19 PM

I like what you said parrot but I went even further and got rid of all my credit cards what I have for emergencies is a prepaid visa debit card. For normal purchases I use my regular debit card or good old fashioned cash.

palefrost · #8 (**permalink**) 09-07-2006, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by parrotbay

I would like to add that the first thing is first, get rid of all those credit cards! Also read your statements and verify that you are still not being billed for services that you no longer use. you may want to keep one card for emergencies, but make sure to have a low limit and pay it off at the end of every month.

Sorry but i dont agree on getting rid of those cards. Keep them just transfer the balances to one card and be done with them. I kept them and watched for really low apr offers and transferred over to the lowest card. I managed to get a low apr of 2% for the life of the balance. That really helped me knock down my debt. Canceling the cards locks you into one chance of a low apr.

triumph · #9 (**permalink**) 09-08-2006, 12:51 AM

The biggest thing is simply learn to leave within your means. You don't need to be using credit cards for half your monthly expenses, and you don't need two car payments bigger than your mortgage payment.

bangfor · #10 (**permalink**) 11-03-2006, 02:57 PM

This might sound funny, because everyone is talking about penny-pinching, while there is also penny-making, which will put more money on your hand although being an entrepreneur doesn't come easy for everyone. Too much regressing might stress you out.

wondering · #11 (**permalink**) 11-17-2006, 02:59 PM

Also, you should never put yourself in a position where you're paying interest on your credit cards. There are so many 0% options available that there's simply no reason for this.

bangfor · #12 (**permalink**) 11-17-2006, 04:15 PM

That's interesting, yet no matter what the arrangement is interest has to be paid on the outstanding balance. What 0% options are you talking about?

hoosierhunter · #13 (**permalink**) 11-17-2006, 09:01 PM

Nod. The key to getting out of debt is often making more money. . . working more overtime, getting a part time job, and working your behind off.

fishoutofwater · #14 (**permalink**) 11-18-2006, 12:22 AM

Definitely more money helps, but if you adjust to that money and don't control spending habits, you're going to stay in debt.

sweet_mayhem · #15 (**permalink**) 11-20-2006, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bangfor

This might sound funny, because everyone is talking about penny-pinching, while there is also penny-making, which will put more money on your hand although being an entrepreneur doesn't come easy for everyone. Too much regressing might stress you out.

that is so true, bangfor. i suddenly remember this thing i learned from robert kiyosaki's rich dad poor dad. he said that instead of always saying "i can't afford it", we must train ourselves to say, "how can i afford it?" like you said, it's not that easy to be an entrepreneur, but i bet one can start small, even through selling simple stuff like cookies or fancy jewelries. i remember my mother managing to add some more money to her income several years ago by letting my siblings sell these cookies she bought from a friend. she also does her selling to her officemates--cookies, RTW clothes, etc. she may not have earned great profits but the selling sure helped in paying the bills.

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