As they stare down at a teetering pile of bills, so many consumers wonder how they racked up such a large debt. The answer boils down to simple mathematics.“On a basic, fundamental level,
problem is created by spending more than you make,” says Brad Stroh, co-CEO of San Mateo, California-based Freedom Financial Network, LLC, a company that specializes in debt resolution services.
The reasons for doing so, he notes, are varied:
• Spending addictions • Lack of budgeting (mistaking amount of money coming in and going out) • Loss of income (reduced hours, layoffs, forced to leave workforce) • Increased costs (health-related expenses, fuel and other basic living expenses) • A personal hardship (divorce, medical illness, loss of a loved one or other major changes in a person’s life)
You can, however, get out of debt—but it takes commitment. Here are 5 steps to accomplishing your goal.
1. Start Planning—and Saving “The only way to guarantee solid financial footing is through proper planning—and that’s where most consumers go wrong,” Stroh says. “Proper planning means monthly budgeting of cash flow, combined with saving for long-term security.”
Stroh recommends saving at least 5% of your income to ensure long-term financial security.
“Of course, this percent will vary by age group and individual’s financial goals and objectives,” he says. “Younger people can expect to spend their early years saving less of their income, paying off student loans and debts incurred during periods of lower income. Older individuals should be planning for retirement and saving a larger share of income.”
2. Seek Professional Help If you are facing financial hardship, do not procrastinate when it comes to seeking professional advice.
“People often wait too long,” Stroh says. “If someone is living paycheck to paycheck, is behind on any revolving financial obligations (including credit cards), is using credit cards to pay for necessities, or is facing collection, he should consider getting immediate advice from a professional debt management firm or financial advisor.”
3. Stop Spending If you continue to spend money, despite your ever-growing debt, you likely have a bona fide addiction that requires psychological intervention.
“Debt problems are frequently symptomatic of more fundamental personal issues, such as reticence to address difficult financial problems,” Stroh says. “Spending addictions can have many causes, including lack of personal confidence and fulfillment. Similar to many other addictions, a spending addiction can fill a void in an individual’s life—albeit with a fleeting source of satisfaction. People with spending addictions constantly strive for ‘high’ that they receive from buying clothes, cars and other goods. This leads to a long-term problem when they cannot meet consequent financial turmoil that comes when bills arrive. For anyone who may think he has a serious spending addiction, we advise seeking professional counseling or therapy to resolve fundamental sources of this addiction.”
