When you're under a mountain of debt, it can seem as if you'll never see the end of the tunnel. It's a very frustrating and stressful situation. However, there are some things you can do to help reduce your debt and keep your credit from suffering. Below, we'll explore some credit and debt reduction tips that will help you create a plan to get out from under your debt and experience financial freedom.
Consider a Debt Consolidation Company
While some debt consolidation companies give the rest of the industry a bad name, there are some really great companies that are dedicated to actually helping you. What a debt consolidation company can do is negotiate with your creditors to reduce your debt by as much as 40% to 60%. In addition to that, they can help you plan to create one low monthly payment instead of several high-interest payments. This can be a legitimate way to help your credit and reduce your debt.
Increase Your Payments
One of the worst things you can do is just pay the interest on your monthly payments. When you stick with the minimum payment, you're not reducing the principal amount of the debt. This can take forever to pay off. Do what you can to increase your payments, ensuring that you're paying more than the minimum account. Ask for extra hours at work, or get a part-time job during the weeks. Reduce your monthly spending and place the extra money in an account to pay off your debts faster.
Debt Reduction Grants and Programs
There are new debt reduction grants and programs available for those who have serious debt. Those with outstanding medical bills or college loans are great candidates, along with those who have been unable to make payments due to medical emergencies, loss of a job, or dispute. It's important to find a financial institution or program that allows you to apply for these grants and opportunities. Not long after you fill out the paperwork, you can learn whether or not you will be eligible for these programs.
By creating attainable goals and working with what you have to reduce your debt and protect your credit, you can more easily get out from under the mountain of bills and late notices. In addition to that, you can free up some of your monthly loans that will give you a little breathing room.