In my professional experience as a loan officer, you can do what debt consolidation companies do on your own.
Generally, consolidation companies have you stop making payments on the accounts.,Then they work with the creditors, negotiate a plan with them, and you pay the consolidation companies...
The worst part… making a budget.
See where your money goes now and where it needs to go.
This always hurts my feelings because then it’s obvious where I waste money.
It may feel like it works against you to pay off the 0% interest debts first. But I would pay off the 3 smallest debts. That frees up over $500 monthly. Then start throwing that money at your higher interest debts.
Look into a debt consolidation loan. That’s what I did.
Combined all my debt from 25.25% interest to 11.45%.
Cut over half my interest rate.
I had to increase my credit to get a good rate, though.
Don’t borrow from your 401(k) that money is for your future.
Here are practical steps:
Get a cheap used car.
Rent a studio apartment or a room.
Pick up an extra job or work extra hours.
Sell what you don’t need.
Pay off debt from smallest to largest, while paying the minimum on...
I'd put half f the income tax into the lowest card. That gets it fully paid off. Then it won't earn interest, and you'll only have one credit card payment per month.
After that, start committing to paying off the larger one. That would leave it at about $7k still better than where you are now...
Use leverage to buy another property. Stop selling property. That’s something to keep for 30 years.
At your age, time and leverage can make you very, very rich. ✨
Do both! Your business won't earn much on day one. So, work part time for someone else for some security, while you start and build up your own business.
Get a copy of your Equifax credit report. That will show you what you need to do.
If you don't know how much you owe, go through the process and contact the relevant parties. Ask for payout figures these are usually negotiable.
Depending on how old the debts are, you may be able to have them...
A 79 Cruiser with the full ARB catalog fitted is a solid choice.
It’s a reliable workhorse.
You can get out on weekends and enjoy what you’ve built.
Live a little!
Or go the boring route and invest the money.
You're doing great. Lots of people your age don't have your income or a house yet.
Consider investing in a few different stocks. It can make your finances more diverse. I tried this myself, and it helped me feel like I was making more progress.
Keep it simple pick a couple of stocks you...
I’m a financial planner, and I know plenty of.good ones. Most issues actually come from clients, not from us.
I wouldn’t refer you to any of them unless you’re serious about saving and investing. If you’ve worked FIFO for a few years and think you’re in a great spot because you own 5 jet skis...
Here’s a practical tip: always talk directly to your bank first. They can do a lot of things brokers can’t.
I almost lost a house because I waited weeks for a broker to review everything. He overestimated my expenses based on guesses, not actual costs.
Then I spoke directly to NAB. They...
Consolidating your debt can be a smart move if it lowers your APR and shortens your repayment time.
Just remember: try not to use those credit cards again afterward.
Otherwise, you'll end up with two payments to manage:
Your new consolidation payment.
Plus the minimums on any new balances.
Think twice about a debt consolidation loan. My experience was that it actually hurt my credit score.
It’s a common step, but it can sometimes backfire. Here’s a quick look at why it might happen:
It can lower the average age of your credit accounts.
Applying for the loan creates a hard...
I've tried both a debt relief program and a consolidation loan. My finances are now much easier to handle. The right options can work but you need to do your part by changing your spending habits!
Here's what I did:
With the debt relief company (a law group), they negotiated five credit...
You could try going to the group's main page. Type debt consolidation into the search bar. This is a great way to see what other members have shared about their experiences.
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Here's a clear, practical guide to handling your money
1. Save for taxes first. It's smart to set aside about 30% of your income for this.
2. Create a starter safety net. Save enough to cover one month of expenses and keep it in a High Yield Savings Account (HYSA). This is your first...
Reaching out to a nonprofit consumer credit service is a smart move. They can:
Help you create a clear plan.
Walk you through your options.
It's a great first step to take.
Hi there. First, I want to acknowledge how much you're juggling—single parenting, long shifts, and managing debt on your own is a huge challenge. The fact you have a budget notebook you've used for two years is a fantastic foundation; that consistency is key.
Let's build a plan that works with...
Changing to a single payment won't affect how much you can pay overall.
You can't get out of debt just by rearranging it. The real way out is by paying it off step by step.
I know it can be tough, but you've got this!
I'm 68 and I've been working 7 days a week, over 60 hours, for the last four years. Even though it's just e, I still find it a challenge to get all my personal tasks done.
Stay focused on your money goals. Being mindful and intentional with your...
A few years back, I took ou a personal loan to combine $42k in debt. The rate was high 23% but it was lower than most of my credit cards. Also, loans are installment plans, not revolving credit. That means you don’t get interest on top of interest like with cards. So even with a similar rate...
Some debt can be a smart move. For example, borrowing against an asset to help grow your wealth is often a good idea ✅
But taking on consumer debt just to shop or buy a big vehicle? That’s usually a mistake
Here’s the difference:
Good debt: Used to build or leverage an asset.
Not so good...
That's a smart move switching to the avalanche method after tackling some debts first.
I was in a similar spot with about the same amount of debt, and that approach really worked for me too.
Most debt relief plans with 13–16% interest and 3 year terms ask you to close your credit cards. Why? Because they're not really fixing your credit score they're just moving your debt to them.
Want to keep your accounts open and boost your score? Steer clear of anything that makes you close...
Let's get you on track!
Here are some practical steps:
Pay off debt. This is a top priority. The less you owe, the more you save.
Control your spending. Save on groceries by choosing budget friendly meals.
Earn extra cash. Driving for a delivery service can boost your income.
Use government...
It's never too late to invest in property to build financial freedom. That's just my opinion!
Key points to consider:
Investing in real estate can be a powerful tool for building long term wealth.
Starting at any age can put you on a path toward greater financial security.
Remember...
Given Creddley's promise of no hard credit checks, how can you balance the appeal of quick funding with the need to safeguard your financial health, especially if hidden terms could affect your credit down the line? What questions would you ask to feel more confident before moving forward?
If you put the money in the IGN account, you’ll pay:
3.9% interest per year on $250,000
7.89% on the remaining $8,000
But if you pay off the car as much as you can, you’ll only pay interest on that $8,000.
I know which one I'd pick
Longer loans can be easier to manage.
Just be aware that some might charge a fee for paying it off early.
Always read the fine print carefully before you sign anything!
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