3 Reasons Why You Should Pay Down Debts ASAP

While being debt-free is idyllic, and a goal for many people. The reality is that it is hard. And what commonly happens when people are faced with something hard? They postpone it. While that is a common coping mechanism, doing so regarding debt is not going to do you any favors. Forget about the fact that allowing debt to build up is only going to dig your hole deeper, it is also going to seep its way into other areas of your life, potentially holding you back in scenarios where you would not have ever dreamed it could.

Improved Financial Knowledge

While debt can undoubtedly be stressful, it can also be a wonderful learning tool. If you are a person with debts of any size or kind, there are things to be learned from both how you accumulated those debts, as well as the habits you build regarding repayment. Taking an unfiltered look at repayment options to tackle some of your larger debts can set you up nicely to not only pay them down but understand how to manage your personal finances in the process.

Credit cards are one of the most common forms of debt. Spending money that is out of sight and out of mind can catch up to you quickly, and traditionally the interest rates associated with certain credits cards are unfavorable. If you are homeowner, consider tapping into your homes equity to pay off high interest credit cards and alleviate yourself from that debt in one swoop. You can review a guide specially geared towards home equity loans whether you are looking to take out a home equity loan or learn about recent laws or interest rates and this can make your options a lot clearer.

Increased Savings

As you work to pay off debt, that money must come from somewhere. Cutting back on unnecessary expenses is common practice however it is not uncommon for some to pay off debt as opposed to actively saving money. Depending on your debt totals, and future savings goals, prioritizing paying off debt can help you to save more. As you tweak your budget, and begin to experience debt totals that are lower and lower each month, you will begin to realize there are lessons to be learned from paying it off. If you can create enough discipline in your budget to allocate money formally needed to pay off debts, to savings, you will not experience much of a lifestyle shift day-to-day but what you will experience is growth in your savings that feels natural. If you are someone who thrives off compartmentalizing tasks, this process will feel especially gratifying.

Fiscal Confidence

Money troubles do not exist only in your bank accounts, they can creep into the mental and emotional spaces of your life as well. While it is important to understand that your financial situation does not define you, that can be easier said than done for people experiencing financial hardship. Debt will drag you down, but it does not have to. Once you have decided that now is the time to work towards debt-free living your confidence will increase as each new milestone is reached.

Justin Weinger

A married father of three, Justin Weinger works in private equity as a Corporate Finance Manager, he is also an avid blogger and personal finance enthusiast with a strong history of working in the automotive and publishing industry.