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4 Practical Steps to Stay In Control of Your Student Debt

Written by CB Community

Debt is a firm reality that countless people face, especially college and university students.

Fortunately, there are effective actions you can apply to mitigate and, eventually, eliminate student debt.

If you are looking down a seemingly infinite pile of bills, then here are some ways you can handle your debt and help get your finances back on the right direction:

1. Determine How Much Money You Owe

Try making a list of your debts, including the creditor, the entire amount of your debt, interest rate, monthly payment, and expected date of payment.

You can utilize your credit record to determine the debts on your list.

Being knowledgeable about managing loans for young people like you, you will help you see the clearer picture and stay informed of your whole debt picture.

Do not just formulate the list and ignore it. Always refer to it regularly, particularly as you settle bills. Update the list at least a month as the entire value of your debt changes.

2. Make a Plan

When we talk about getting out of debt, there are a couple of strategies you can employ.

The first approach is to repay extra on your loan with the highest rate of interest monthly until it is paid off while making the smallest payment on the separate loans.

Once you finish the first debt, then you can begin paying extra on your loan with the next highest rate of interest. Commit an equal amount of cash to loan repayment monthly even after you have reduced the number of loans.

The second procedure is paying extra every month on your loan with the lowest figure. Once paid off, take the cash you were spending to that credit and direct them, plus the minimum payment to the next highest credit.

Again, commit an equal amount of funds to repay monthly, even after eliminating the loans.

3. Always Pay Monthly Bills on Time

Technically, late payments will make it harder for you to pay off the debt since you will need to pay a late payment for every debt you miss.

If you miss two payments continuously, you will notice a rise in your finance charges and interest rate.

If you plan on employing a calendar technique using your smartphone or computer, make a list of your payments in it, and always set an alert to inform you approximately seven days before your due payment.

In situations where you miss a repayment, do not wait until the next due, to send the payment because it could have appeared on your credit report by then.

Still, it is best to settle the payment as soon as you remember missing it.

4. Stop the Debt Cycle

To handle your funds correctly, it is vital to stop using credit cards excessively and going into more debt. You can never stop the debt cycle if you continue making purchases and adding more debt.

You must stop using credit cards, as well as borrowing cash to buy items other than your needs. Once you establish your debt payment strategy, focus on paying off the debts and reward yourself to keep you motivated.

Also, you must work on finishing up your previous debts.

Building emergency funds is essential to help you with this step. You can reduce credit card dependency if you have a bit of money in savings.

Instead of relying on credit cards for minor emergencies, you can use your savings for such instances. This is a good start to stop using credit cards.

If you still have excess cash, try using it to start investing to start building wealth. It is crucial to understand that wealth is never measured by the things you have but by the number of assets you own and the amount of money you have in your bank account.

Not only were you able to pay off your debt, you were also able to build fortune for yourself.

To Conclude

Handling your finances is never easy as a student, particularly if you are aware that you can borrow some cash for random purchases.

On the brighter note, by following these practical tips mentioned, controlling your expenditures and focusing on the crucial buys will help you focus on getting out of the debt cycle and move onto the next phase in your life.

About the author

CB Community

Passionate members of the College Basics community that include students, essay writers, consultants and beyond. Please note, while community content has passed our editorial guidelines, we do not endorse any product or service contained in these articles which may also include links for which College Basics is compensated.