Debt management is a common financial issue that most people face at some point in their lives. It can come in many forms such as credit card debt, student loans, personal loans, or even mortgages.
Written by CA Pankaj Chhabra – 
While taking on debt is sometimes necessary, it can be a burden that weighs heavily on one’s finances and mental health. That’s why repaying debt earlier than the actual tenure can be a great financial decision.
In this article, we will discuss practical ways of debt management earlier, the benefits of doing so, and how to get started.
- Evaluate Your Debt
- The first step to repaying debt earlier is to evaluate your current financial situation. This means looking at all of your debts, the interest rates, and the minimum monthly payments.
- Knowing the total amount of debt you owe and the minimum monthly payments required to pay off your debt will help you create a repayment plan.
- For example, if you have a $10,000 loan with a 5% interest rate and a minimum monthly payment of $200, it will take you approximately six years to pay off the loan. However, by increasing your monthly payment to $400, you can pay off the loan in just over two years, saving you thousands of dollars in interest.
- Create a Budget
- Once you have evaluated your debt, the next step is to create a budget.
- This means looking at your income and expenses and determining how much you can afford to allocate toward debt repayment each month.
- It’s important to be realistic when creating a budget and to leave some room for unexpected expenses.
- For example, if you have a monthly income of $3,000 and monthly expenses of $2,500, you can allocate $500 toward debt repayment each month.
Related: How to Track your Expenses?
- Prioritize High-Interest Debt
- When it comes to repaying debt earlier, it’s important to prioritize high-interest debt. This is because high-interest debt can accumulate quickly, making it more difficult to pay off in the long run.
- By focusing on paying off high-interest debt first, you can save money on interest and reduce the overall amount of debt you owe.
- For example, if you have a credit card debt with a 20% interest rate and a personal loan with a 10% interest rate, it’s better to prioritize paying off the credit card debt first.
- Consider Debt Consolidation
- If you have multiple high-interest debts, you may want to consider debt consolidation. This involves taking out a single loan to pay off all of your existing debts, leaving you with just one monthly payment.
- Debt consolidation can make it easier to manage your debt, and it can also lower your interest rate, saving you money in the long run.
- For example, if you have three credit cards with a total debt of $10,000 and an average interest rate of 20%, you can consolidate your debt into a personal loan with a lower interest rate of 10%.
Related: Dos and dont’s while taking Loans
- Look for Additional Sources of Income
- If you’re struggling to make the minimum monthly payments on your debt, you may want to consider looking for additional sources of income. This can include taking on a part-time job, freelancing, or selling items you no longer need.
- Any extra income can be used to pay down your debt faster, reducing the overall amount of interest you’ll have to pay.
- For example, if you earn an extra $500 per month and allocate it towards debt repayment, you can pay off a $10,000 loan with a 5% interest rate in just over a year instead of six years.
Benefits of Repaying Debt Earlier
- There are several benefits to repaying debt earlier than the actual tenure. First and foremost, it can save you a significant amount of money in interest payments.
- The longer it takes to repay your debt, the more interest you’ll accrue, making it more difficult to get out of debt. By paying off your debt earlier, you can reduce the overall amount of interest you’ll have to pay, saving you money in the long run.
- Secondly, repaying debt earlier can improve your credit score. Your credit score is based on several factors, including your payment history, credit utilization, and length of credit history. By consistently making on-time payments and reducing your debt-to-income ratio, you can improve your credit score and make it easier to qualify for loans or credit in the future.
- Lastly, repaying debt earlier can reduce stress and improve your mental health. Debt can be a major source of stress and anxiety, affecting your overall well-being. By taking control of your debt and repaying it earlier, you can reduce stress and improve your mental health, leading to a better quality of life.
Related: How a woman can become financially independent?
Getting Started
Getting started with repaying debt earlier can be challenging, but it’s important to take action as soon as possible. Here are some steps you can take to get started:
- Evaluate your debt and create a budget.
- Prioritize high-interest debt and consider debt consolidation.
- Look for additional sources of income to allocate towards debt repayment.
- Monitor your progress and adjust your plan as needed.
Conclusion:
It’s important to remember that repaying debt earlier is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time and effort to reduce your debt, but the benefits are worth it.
By taking control of your debt, you can save money, improve your credit score, and reduce stress, leading to a better financial future.
