The global financial crisis is squeezing credit and bank overdrafts and trade payments have been slowing. Therefore, small businesses should support themselves for an economic slowdown in the wake of chaos in international finance markets and a decrease in the value of the Australian dollar. They should be keeping a close watch on cash flow, considering the most appropriate finance options and improving administration processes. Here are some helpful tips to help your business survive and thrive in challenging market conditions!
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Getting Credit Card Debt Under Control
First things first. To get your credit card debt under control you require a realistic assessment of your income and expenses. There are no if’s, but’s or maybe’s about it. If you are consistently spending more then you earn it is time to rectify the situation.
Budget
To get your credit card spending under control you need to build a debt control strategy that will lead you to becoming debt free or at least reduce your burden. You need to know how much your total debt is and how long it will take you to repay that debt at your current payment rate. By developing a budget that enables you to track your income and expenses, you can then begin to cut unnecessary expenses and use more of your income to pay off your debts. Simple steps such as allocating a set amount per week to pay off your debt will allow you to get it under control faster. It is important to be realistic with your goals and aim to get your debt under control as soon as possible.
Consolidate
If you are paying off multiple cards at varying interest rates you are more then likely paying more interest then necessary. In this case it would be important to consider a debt consolidation loan. By consolidating your debts you simplify your finances and place all of your debt together into the one account with a fixed interest rate. The proceeds from the loan are used to pay back your other creditors and then you make monthly payments back to the loan consolidator. Usually these loans have much more competitive rates then the purcahse interest rate charged by credit card providers. If you have multiple unsecured debts, you are probably paying far too much in interest. If you are overwhelmed by unsecured debt (such as credit card debt or other unsecured loans), consolidating these unsecured financial obligations has many benefits, including saving you thousands of dollars in the long-term, reducing your total monthly payments, helping you become debt free faster, and improving your credit rating.
One of the most important aspects of debt management is understanding how you got into debt in the first place. If your debts were a result of spending beyond your means, you must modify your budget to avoid this situation in the future. Controlling debt requires self discipline, restraint, and planning. You must address the reasons that landed you in the situation in the first place. No plan for getting out of debt will ever succeed if you continue along the same path. So take action now!
If credit card debt struggles are keeping you up at night it is important that you get them under control now! Speak to your bank or credit provider about how you can get your debt control back on track.
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“Article as appeared in the September edition of Western Sydney Business Access…..”