Did you know that the debt of the average household is over $15,000 in credit cards alone?
So, what are the best ways to reduce debt? Here’s our list of 5 ways to get rid of the debt and to instead strive toward debt free Christian living.
1. Kill the Extra Cards
Are you aware that the average number of credit cards per individual is 3.5 credit cards? Keep just a single credit card, which you don't carry with you. That card will be used for true emergencies, to reserve a hotel room or rental car and other necessary uses. Even if your credit cards have a balance, get rid of the cards as you work on getting out from under the debt.
Ignore the pre-approved or pre-selected offers you get in the mail. There are very few individuals who truly need more credit cards.
2. Stop Abusing Your Line Of Credit
We all know people who cut up credit cards and begin working on debt but find they can still spend using their credit card number. Most online sites can keep your payment information saved, so it’s very easy to click "buy" without much thought.
To get started - if you have online accounts that do contain stored credit card details, log into your account and delete that information. Not only does that protect you if the online store’s servers are compromised, but it ensures that you can’t make a quick and thoughtless buying decision. If you don’t have the cash to pay for it, you should not buy the item.
3. Stop Spending
It’s true that you must spend money to survive, but many individuals have fallen into a habit of consumerism. We head to the mall for entertainment on a rainy day, we eat out because we won't make time to cook dinner, and we shop for sales at the store that are just “too good” to pass up.
Even if you use cash for your expenditures, you’re taxing your financial health. Add up - just for one month - how much you spend on your frivolous spending. Now think about how you could have used that income more wisely. Even a small amount of money invested over time can add up to a large sum.
4. Find a Strategy
Whatever process you choose, start a payment plan and stick to it.
You may choose to take out a consolidation loan, or work with a debt reduction company that will help you payoff debt and reduce your existing payments, or you may start your own payment plan using the debt snowball method to payoff debt. Whatever strategy you decide on, choose it carefully and then follow the plan.
5. Change your Habits
The average credit card user has debt that is 14 years old. Habits have developed around managing debt in payments instead of payoffs.
It can be difficult to reverse that dynamic with debt. It’s important to understand that debt cures don’t really exist without avoiding more debt, constantly working to reduce debt and developing a change in spend thrift habits over time.
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debt free Christian, continue surfing on Internet where many useful resources are available at free of cost.
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