Dec 15, 2023 By Susan Kelly
You may wonder when you continue falling deeper into the debt circle, despite staying current on the payments. It can occur when a person has high-interest debt and suddenly have to get more debt. The result is always the same: You're stuck in a cycle of debt that's hard to break. So, let's look at how anyone gets into this mess.
How Does A Debt Spiral Begin?
At first, it might not seem like a big deal to cover your monthly payments by borrowing a little extra. But before you know it, you're dealing with interest rates through the roof, and you can't make a dent in the overall debt. You are borrowing money unexpectedly or knowingly to meet your existing financial commitments. You can get into the debt spiral by getting a payday loan to cover the monthly payments; you take out a loan or another credit card to pay off your existing debts. It makes your credit score go down, which makes it harder to get new credit.
The debt trap could begin due to the following:
Emergency expenses: Anyone having a medical emergency must take on more debts that are difficult to repay.
Lost income: Losing the job or source of income makes it challenging to repay the debts.
Spending A Lot: Spending more than your affordability to repay the higher-interest credit cards leads to significant interest charges that are hard to pay.
What Are The Smartest Ways To Get Out Of A Debt Spiral?
Most of us have been there when we're trapped in a debt cycle spiraling out of control and don't know how to get out. Although it's an alarming situation, getting out seems impossible. You can get out of the spiral but first, acknowledge the situation that you are facing. The longer you stay in a debt spiral, the harder it may be to escape. You can see how it's easy to get trapped in this vicious circle. But don't worry—there is a way out. It would be great if you were willing to face your debt head-on and make a plan to pay it off.
Here are a few actions you can do to leave as soon as possible:
A crucial first step can be being aware of where you are. Knowing about the different aspects of a downward spiral makes you acknowledge that you are in one and helps you reappraise, reframe or overcome it. So, list all of your debts with their:
This analysis would surely assist you in deciding which debts to tackle first. Moreover, if you cannot pay all of your debts, you must consider the consequences of doing so.
There are various debt repayment methods you can use. Some people use the debt avalanche strategy. They focus on the debt with the highest interest rate and try to pay them first and then pay less overall interest.
Alternatively, the debt snowball strategy makes you prioritize the loan with a low balance. By doing this, you can start checking debts off your list sooner, motivating and making it more straightforward to stick to your plan.
Apart from this, if you're having trouble paying your debts because of a temporary and specific incident, you might contact your creditors to see if they can offer any hardship accommodations. You might be able to catch up on other obligations and prevent a spiral with a lower interest rate or minimum payment.
Debt repayment can free up funds that you can use to pay off the following debt on your list. To expedite the procedure, you might need to acquire more funding.
You might wish to find ways to temporarily reduce your spending so you can save some money to pay off debt. Alternatively, look for ways to earn additional income that can also use to pay off debt.
Altering their terms can improve your ability to repay. For instance, you may be able to obtain a personal loan and utilize the funds to pay off higher-interest credit card debt. You may pay less monthly interest if you refinance and consolidate your credit card debt because you'll have fewer monthly payments. Nevertheless, the plan can backfire if you utilize your credit cards once more and accrue debt.
Additionally, if you're having trouble paying your debts because of a temporary and specific incident, you might contact your creditors to see if they can offer hardship accommodations. You might be able to catch up on other obligations with a lower interest rate or minimum payment.
Some experts might be able to help you if you are not sure of what to do next. Getting in touch with a credit counselor who works for a nonprofit organization might be a great idea. They might be able to analyze your financial condition and offer personalized advice accordingly. For example, assist you in planning a realistic budget for a debt management plan to support you pay off credit cards.
Some for-profit businesses could promote debt settlement as a choice, which occurs when a creditor is ready to settle your account for less than the total balance. However, be wary of businesses that try to rush you into making that decision or charge you advance costs. While certain debt settlement firms can provide helpful guidance, others may be scams.
You're stuck in a debt spiral and don't know how to get out. You've tried to budget, you've tried to cut back, but it's not working. You're feeling overwhelmed and helpless.
But there is hope. There is a way out.
The primary key is to take things one move at a time. Break your debt down into manageable chunks and figure out a plan to pay it off. Don't try to rush it all at once – that will only set you up for failure. There are also plenty of helpful resources available online and from financial institutions. So don't worry about asking for help. You can do this. You can get out of this debt trap and build a better future. It won't be a piece of cake, but it will be worth it