You have heard it before, you may have read it a dozen different ways, but the fact remains the same; you should have a higher income to debt ratio. There a literal ton of books written on this subject, more website than you can count and they all offer different thought processes about this.
Income –
While you can change jobs, or careers to change your income, you make what you make, and that is what you have to work with. You can add additional jobs, but that isn’t going to drastically change your income.
Bills –
This is where you are mostly in the driver’s seat. Some bills and debts you can negotiate down if you work hard enough, some you cant. Replacing or eliminating some of your recurring bills (changing from high-end cable to streaming devices) will reduce your monthly debts and give you some cash back.
Debt ratios –
In general, you want to stay under a 15% utilization on your rotating debts. Continuously push to drive down the balances on your debts will help your ratios.
Cash on hand –
I know how paychecks come into the account, get divvied out to your bills and little is left over, but setting some aside for you is just as critical as paying your bills. When the power goes out, and you can’t get cash from any ATM’s or banks, cash on hand will be key to paying for some short-term immediate need.
Credit Reports –
Knowing what is on your credit report is crucial. Constantly work to improve your scores by removing false data and paying down your debt.
Stop spending on stuff you don’t need. Don’t buy brand new (electronics, games, movies, vehicles) unless absolutely necessary. While some big name stores offer gear for far more inexpensive prices, the gear doesn’t hold up after it’s first used, so spend a bit more on quality that will last. Small changes in your spending habits add up in cash on hand or savings very quickly.
Helpful tips
Clean your credit report – You can obtain a copy of your credit report from the three major companies once per year for free (listed below). No sign-up, no credit card, just write them a request.
Budget – Write out a real number budget, hold to it, take the unspent money and roll it towards a bill or your savings account. Plenty of resources to help you with this.
Refinance – If you purchased something a while back on a high-interest loan, but now your credit score has improved, refinance that loan at a lower interest rate.
Consolidate – Move your multiple high-interest credit card balances into a low or zero interest card or loan to save yourself.
Reduce spending waste – You may want, but you don’t need those magazine subscriptions, those monthly box subscriptions, the latest gadget. While there is the convenience of shopping local, you can almost always find the same thing online for cheaper.
Save where you can – Don’t be above using coupons or discounts, shop for deals. Ask, the worst someone will tell you is “no”.
Move to a credit union – This one is simple, help your money help you and others instead of putting money in someone else account.
Evaluate your money – From reviewing your savings account (there are higher interest accounts available), to reviewing your 401k investments, evaluating what your money is doing is important. Make smart decisions to earn you more.
One of my favorite sites to review financial information from different sources.
Planning and preparing for an event or disaster includes all kinds of prep, this includes having your finances and debt in order. Having a stockpile of money in your retirement accounts, having a savings account, and always have some cash on hand, just in case.
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Colorado Survivalist 