7 steps to more effectively manage and reduce your debt (2024)

FAQs

What is the first step in managing and reducing your debt? ›

Know whom you owe and how much: The first step should always be about awareness. When you start out on your journey of debt management, you should start with studying the different types of debt that can appear on your balance sheet.

The snowball method focuses your repayment efforts on your smallest debts, regardless of your interest rates. With this strategy, you'll rank what you owe from the smallest balance to the largest. Then, pay the minimum amount each month on all debts, but focus the majority of your efforts on that smallest account.

This review process is based on a review of five key factors that predict the probability of a borrower defaulting on his debt. Called the five Cs of credit, they include capacity, capital, conditions, character, and collateral.

Consider the snowball method of paying off debt.

This involves starting with your smallest balance first, paying that off and then rolling that same payment towards the next smallest balance as you work your way up to the largest balance. This method can help you build momentum as each balance is paid off.

Snowball Method

Put extra effort into paying off the smallest debt first. Then, when that's paid off, we take the money we were paying towards it and add it toward the payment for the next one. Keep doing the same thing right down the line, snowballing the amount we can pay as we eliminate each debt one by one.

Pay more than the minimum

Always try to pay more than what's due. This helps to pay down debt faster, save on interest expense and may improve your credit score.

In terms of saving money, a debt avalanche is better because it saves you money in interest by targeting your highest interest debt first. However, some people find the debt snowball method better because it can be more motivating to see a smaller debt paid off more quickly.

The 2/3/4 rule: According to this rule, applicants are limited to two new cards in a 30-day period, three new cards in a 12-month period and four new cards in a 24-month period. The six-month or one-year rule: Some issuers may only let borrowers open a new credit card account once every six months or once a year.

Credit card refinancing can help you pay off $5,000 in credit card debt much faster because a personal loan comes with a predetermined end date. Debt consolidation loans allow you to combine multiple debts into one loan. Some lenders will even send your loan funds directly to your former creditors.

Character, capital, capacity, and collateral – purpose isn't tied entirely to any one of the four Cs of credit worthiness. If your business is lacking in one of the Cs, it doesn't mean it has a weak purpose, and vice versa.

Which debt strategy is best? ›

In terms of saving money, a debt avalanche is better because it saves you money in interest by targeting your highest-interest debt first. However, some people find the debt snowball method better because it can be more motivating to see a smaller debt paid off more quickly.