Welcome to Ameritrade Plus University
  Controlling debt
 
Introduction
 
Top 10 things
 
The details:
 

Three examples of good debt
 

Borrowing for smaller expenses
 

Taking a loan to pay off credit cards
 

Managing your debt
 

Getting your credit reports
 

Deep debt
 
Glossary
 
Take the test
 
Lessons:
1
  Setting priorities
2
  Making a budget
3
  Basics of banking
4
  Basics of investing
5
  Investing in stocks
6
  Investing in bonds
7
  Buying a home
8
  Investing in mutual funds
9
  Controlling debt
10
  Employee stock options
11
  Saving for college
12
  Kids and money
13
  Planning for retirement
14
  Investing in IPOs
15
  Asset allocation
16
  Hiring financial help
17
  Health insurance
18
  Buying a car
19
  Taxes
20
  Home insurance
21
  Life insurance
22
  Futures and options
23
  Family law
24
  Estate planning
25
  Auto insurance

|> About Money 101

investing 101

  Managing your debt
Simple steps put you, not your bills, in charge

Outside of fixed monthly bills such as your rent or car payment, you probably don't have a precise idea of how you spend most of your money. If you want to get your debt under control, start by figuring out your spending patterns and identifying unnecessary expenses. "People who don't want to quantify where they're at are in the danger zone," said CFP Paul Weiner of Los Angeles.

For one month, write down every cent you spend. And by "every" we mean "every," including that $2 cup of coffee that starts your workday or that $4 magazine you buy on a whim. That will clarify in black and white how much of your spending is fixed and how much is variable - and hence easier to curb.

Tally that list and compare it to your monthly income. How much do you bring in after taxes? And how much do you have left at the end of the month after paying fixed expenses? Consider, too, whether there's any way to boost your take-home pay. If you get a big tax refund every year, that means you're having too much withheld from your paycheck. If that's the case, you can reduce your withholding by changing your W-4 at work.

Next, make a list of all your debt obligations and the interest you're charged for each.

Once you've done all that, you're ready to start lightening your debt load.

The basics of debt reduction are simple: Cut down on your variable spending and put the extra money toward your debt payments. Once you determine the maximum amount you can pay off each month, pay down the debt with the highest interest rate first - that usually means your credit card balance -- while paying at least the minimum monthly amount due on all other revolving bills.

Five red flags you've got too much debt
  • Your discretionary income drops.
  • You max out your credit card after paying off the balance.
  • You only pay the minimum on your credit cards.
  • You don't have an emergency fund.
  • You can't sleep at night.
    (read more)
  • Once the debt with the highest rate is wiped out, put your money toward paying the debt with the next highest rate. One exception: If you have a credit card with a low teaser rate that will go up after a fixed amount of time, strive to eliminate that balance before the low rate expires.

    You might also consider moving some of your high-interest credit card balances to one card with a lower interest rate. But read the fine print on any invitation to transfer balances. Sometimes such low-interest-rate offers are only in effect for short periods of time, after which the rate skyrockets. What's more, consolidating your debt on one card may lower your credit score if your debt-to-credit ratio worsens. (For more on debt consolidation, click here.)

    For many people, reining in discretionary spending for a few months goes a long way toward tackling debt. But if that's not enough, try to reduce your fixed expenses. Take steps to lower your household bills; refinance your mortgage to get a lower interest rate; or, if you have a good payment history, ask your credit card company to lower the interest rate you're charged. For budget tips, read Money 101: Making a budget.

    Next: Getting your credit reports

     

     
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