Debt can be an extremely worrying and daunting experience and almost everyone will be affected by it in some way sometime in their lives. If debt isn’t managed correctly it can easily spiral out of control.

With the right information and no how, it is possible to maintain and handle so here are five great tips to ensure you’ll not just manage your debts, but hopefully avoid them all together.

Budget

Preparing a personal budget means that you can clearly monitor your finances and see exactly what you’re spending. Include all your sources of income and a full list of your monthly expenditures. Including quarterly or annual outgoings like car insurance would also be beneficial. Once you are fully aware of your spending habits they will be easier to dress and ultimately, make the desired changes.

Prioritise your spending

Anyone can make cutbacks and you would be surprised how much you can save by making a few simple tweaks. Choosing budget brands, cutting back on luxuries like cigarettes and magazines or even walking instead of using the car are just a few ways in which you can make simple changes, but you’ll notice a huge difference. Ensure that you can pay all serious outgoings like utility bills, mortgage etc. before deciding to spend your money on less important items.

Shop around

Shop around to get the best deals and save money. Look into changing your electricity, gas or phone supplier can help you save a considerable amount of money that could be used more importantly elsewhere. There are many great price comparison websites that will give you a helpful insight into when and where you can save.

Avoid borrowing

Even when your debt seems too much, always avoid the temptation to borrow. This is just another debt being added to your list and most money lending businesses, particularly online ones, carry an outrageously high interest rate.

Use cards wisely

When finances are tight, it can be extremely tempting to pay using credit cards. This should be avoided, particularly when you know you don’t have the funds to pay for said items or will struggle to pay it off when the bill comes. Paying with cash rather than your card gives you a clearer insight into your spending and is easier to record and ensure you stay in control of your spending.

Bio: This article was provided by Debt Free Me, a UK based debt Management Company, providing helpful information to control personal debts and financial issues.