New Year’s Day has come and gone, and many Florida residents likely made a resolution to get their financial house in order in 2014. Making such a resolution is one thing, but actually taking steps to eliminate debt may seem daunting. Many people wonder where to start and how to keep the momentum going.
It can be tempting to dive in without first devising a plan. Without a plan, an individual may try to attack too many issues and debts at once. This will almost assuredly cause a person to burn out too quickly or simply feel too overwhelmed to make significant progress.
Another pitfall is setting unrealistic goals. To avoid doing this, take the time to review how the money is spent. Some expenses may be cut, or at least reduced, in order to provide more disposable income to pay down debt. Making some budgetary adjustments could make the difference.
However, it is helpful to remember that a plan is not written in stone. As time progresses, a review of the budget as compared to reality may be helpful. A too strict budget will only leave a Florida resident frustrated and discouraged, which is a recipe for disaster. It is okay to revamp the budget as needed.
Sometimes, no matter how often an individual attempts to eliminate debt, it simply is not possible. Through either unforeseen circumstances or just an overwhelming amount of debt, some consumers are simply unable to pay their debts. A Chapter 13 bankruptcy stops any collection activities while seeking the court’s approval of a repayment plan over a stipulated period of time. The filer pays the trustee a certain amount of money each month, and the trustee distributes it to creditors in accordance with a repayment plan approved by the court. After all of the plan payments are made, the filer is typically able to emerge from bankruptcy protection on firmer financial footing and with the ability to move forward securely and free of overwhelming debt.
Source: onlineathens.com,Rupured: Persistance, not perfection, is the key to meeting financial goals in 2014, Michael Rupured, Jan. 4, 2014