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Information is power, and by being able to identify what the problem areas are which lead to going into debt, you can minimize your chances of it happening to you. Being financially smart starts with making wise choices and avoiding ones which lead to risky financial situations.
Here are the most common reasons why people go into debt, and how to avoid it.
Take Out Too Many Loans
Some people get tempted by the idea of loans being so easy. It can require a lot of self-restraint to turn down being able to take out a loan to buy something for yourself that catches your eye.
Make sure that you remember that this isn’t free money. You will eventually have to pay it back and at a price. Interest piles on top of interest and when you add those up from multiple loans you have yourself in a sticky situation.
Rather than taking out multiple loans, ask yourself whether you can afford even one.
Their Debt to Income Ratio Is Imbalanced
When people are spending more on credit cards than they are generating in income to pay back, they are creating a debt to income imbalance. Their debt becomes so big that there is no way that they will be able to pay it off with their current income.
Make sure that you keep your debt manageable based on what you can afford to pay every month. This way you can ensure that you don’t bite off more than you can chew.
They Pay The Minimum Due
One of the biggest mistakes people make when it comes to paying off their debts is that they accept the minimum due. This, in turn, ends up making the time that it takes them to pay it off triple.
It is ideal to pay off as much as you can each month in order to be able to pay off your debts in a manageable amount of time. Rather than paying the small amount due each month, opt to set a percentage of your paycheck towards your debts.
They Have No Patience
One of the most common reasons people go into debt is because they simply have no patience to save for something. They want it in that very moment and can’t stand the thought of having to wait for it.
The sense of immediate gratification that a credit card gives them is too much for them to control.