Getting into debt seems like it is something that is easy to do. When you try to get out of debt, that is when the real work starts. Here are 10 ideas to help you reduce your expenses when it is time to take control of your finances.
1. Consolidate your debt into a lower monthly payment
Consolidating your debts into a lower monthly payment can save you money. Instead of having to try to pay multiple payments, everything that you include in the consolidated payment will be paid with one convenient monthly payment. In most cases, this can help you score a lower interest rate than what you would pay on individual bills.
2. Refinance your car loan
A refinanced car loan starts out at a lower amount than a new car loan. This can automatically lower your monthly payments, especially if you are able to extend the life of the loan some.
3. Lower your auto insurance payment
Take a look at the car insurance payment you are making. You might be able to increase the deductible or decrease the coverage to lower the payments. Shopping around for car insurance might also be beneficial.
4. Consolidate your student loans into a lower monthly payment
If you have multiple student loans, you can likely get them all transferred into one monthly payment. Some federal repayment plans are based on your income so this might help you out if you are at a lower income rate.
5. Enter into a credit repair program
A credit repair program is a good idea if you have already missed some payments. These programs can often help you to get a lower interest rate, especially if your debt is at a high-interest rate, such as 25 percent or higher. You should make sure that you are working with is a legitimate company by checking with the Better Business Bureau and other agencies.
6. Lower your health insurance costs
If you don’t have any health issues, lowering your health insurance costs can help you to save money each month. Get a policy that has a higher deductible or one that has only basic services covered. This isn’t a good idea if you have health issues since you might end up with uncontrollable medical debt.
7. Buy a new car
Car repair bills can get expensive. If you are spending more on repair bills than you care to admit, it might be time to get a new car. This might seem more expensive at first; however, you might find that a car payment is less expensive. Plus, you will have a more reliable way to get to work and run errands.
8. Get a payday loan advance
A payday loan should be one of the last things that you consider if you need to come up with money fast. These loans often come at a higher interest rate, so carefully consider your other options. Of course, if you have an emergency, this might be a feasible option for quick cash if you know you’ll be able to repay it quickly.
9. Get a new credit card with a lower interest rate
A new credit card might seem counterproductive when you are trying to reduce your monthly bills, but it really isn’t. Many new credit cards have a 0-percent interest rate during the introductory period or for balance transfers. This fact alone might be able to save you some serious cash each month.
10. Reduce your employment costs
They say you have to spend money to make money, but you shouldn’t have high employment costs when you are working for someone else. Reducing the costs of your job can entail bringing your lunch instead of eating out and hitting up second-hand clothing stores for things to wear. If you need transportation to work, see if a co-worker will get you instead of shelling out money for transportation costs.
