Whenever you hear discussion of credit card debt, the various best ways to manage it and clear it etc., one thing is mostly ignored. Credit card debt can be extremely stressful and it can have a very negative impact on your life.
It’s always hanging over you, getting you down, making it difficult to live your life the way you would like to. This article takes a look at how to recognise debt stress, and what you can do about it.
The Symptoms of Debt Stress
There are numerous symptoms that can be caused by stress. Some of the most common ones are:
feeling depressed and irritable
headaches
not being able to sleep
forgetfulness
lack of concentration
If you have some of these symptoms but you're unsure whether they are related to stress a visit to your Doctor may be in order.
Who Gets Debt Stress?
Just about everybody that has debts gets stressed about them. Debt results in millions of days off work every year and it's statistically one of the leading causes of suicide. When you read about someone who has committed suicide it's very common to find their name is followed by “who owed [a very large amount] in debts”.
Students and graduates are among the most vunerable, as debt is growing here faster than in any other sector of society.
It's very easy for anybody to rely on their credit card, a little here and a little there and before you know it you owe thousands.
The average adult now owes many thousands in debts, tens of thousands even and as that’s the average, then it stands to reason that many people must owe much more.
This being the case then always remember that you’re not alone, other people are suffering in the same way and there may well be many worse off than you.
How Do You Deal With It?
The perception of stress caused by debt is often of embarrassment or shame. People with lots of debts don’t want to talk about it, even with their family or close friends, for fear of upsetting people or looking like a failure.
It's essential that you talk about your problems, storing it up inside will result in even more stress. If you talk to no one else you should at least talk to your partner. They are in the best position to understand and possibly help you.
When you're ready to confront your debt stress probably the best route is to find two people outside of your partner, one who can advise you and one who can act as a counsellor.
That means a professional who knows what they’re doing in regard to financial matters and possibly a psychologist or psychiatrist or some other kind of counsellor. Don’t let stigmas deter you, this is about your health which is much more important.
The next thing to do is to consider how you created the debt to begin with. Dig out your old credit card statements. What did you spend the money on?
By far the best way to defeat your debt stress is to pay back your debts.
You need to sit down and work out a budget based on your income and expenditure, cut as many unnecessary expenses as possible and try to free up as much money as you can to pay back the debts.
Even if it will take a while to clear the debt you know that your debt is gradually going down and as it does your debt stress will follow.
About The Author
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Monday, January 16, 2006
Friday, January 13, 2006
The Credit Card Cheque and Cash Advance
If you’ve got a credit card did you know that you can do more with it than just use it for payments. For one you may receive a credit card cheque book which will enable you to pay with your card account via a cheque. For those times when a credit card will not be accepted.
You may also have the opportunity to get a cash advance. A means of withdrawing cash directly from your credit cardeither from a cash machine or directly to your bank account. This is great if you need cash in an emergency. But there's a catch to both these credit card account features, so be wary.
You Will Pay Much More Interest for the Service
Almost all credit cards charge a much higher interest for credit card cheques or a cash advance. You may forfeit any interest-free period, which means that you will start paying interest on the money the minute you spend the money. You will also find that most cards will also charge a fee each time you take a cash advance or use a credit card cheque. Plus using an ATM could raise the fee further still.
You Will Pop Up On The Credit Company Radar
Whenever you use a credit card cheque or take a cash advance, you’re revealing the fact that you’re not just using a credit card for it's convenience, you really do need the money. This will be recorded and noted in the credit card company’s records and mark you as someone who possibly shouldn’t receive the best deal. As they see it, you won’t be going anywhere.
Spend With the Credit Card Where Possible
Try avoiding using cash to pay for small things and only to find you have to take a cash advance or use a credit cheque to pay for bigger things. Instead do it the other way around. If you’re in a situation where you’re relying on a cash advance, you should start using your card for the smaller things where you wouldn’t usually consider it, in order to avoid taking the advances and paying the extra interest. Think carefully how you spend.
There are few bills now that need to be paid for with a cheque, consequently there are fewer reasons to ever use a credit card cheque. If you’re willing to make a call and wait in their queue for a while or there's a facility to pay online, the chances are you can get them to accept a credit card payment. Most companies accept credit cards now. The fact is they're loosing out if they don't.
Be Wary Of Advance Limits
If you start to rely on cash advances, you’ll eventually run into an advance limit. The credit card companies don’t advertise it, but many of them have limits on how much of your balance can be cash advances and how much must be in purchases. Check these limits before you start taking cash advances.
Cash Advances Get Paid Off Last
When you begin to pay back your credit card balance, most lenders will put your payments towards the lowest-interest money, your purchases, first and once this is cleared towards any other lending. This being the case you will always be paying the higher interest on the cash advance or cheque until you clear your credit card debt completely and get your balance back to zero.
About The Author
Get free General Finance help and advice from www.1stfinanceguide.com. Credit Cards, Mortgages, Debt, Investment, Real Estate etc.
This article comes with reprint rights. Feel free to reprint and distribute as you like. All that we ask is that you do not make any changes, that this resource text is include, and that the link above is intact.
You may also have the opportunity to get a cash advance. A means of withdrawing cash directly from your credit cardeither from a cash machine or directly to your bank account. This is great if you need cash in an emergency. But there's a catch to both these credit card account features, so be wary.
You Will Pay Much More Interest for the Service
Almost all credit cards charge a much higher interest for credit card cheques or a cash advance. You may forfeit any interest-free period, which means that you will start paying interest on the money the minute you spend the money. You will also find that most cards will also charge a fee each time you take a cash advance or use a credit card cheque. Plus using an ATM could raise the fee further still.
You Will Pop Up On The Credit Company Radar
Whenever you use a credit card cheque or take a cash advance, you’re revealing the fact that you’re not just using a credit card for it's convenience, you really do need the money. This will be recorded and noted in the credit card company’s records and mark you as someone who possibly shouldn’t receive the best deal. As they see it, you won’t be going anywhere.
Spend With the Credit Card Where Possible
Try avoiding using cash to pay for small things and only to find you have to take a cash advance or use a credit cheque to pay for bigger things. Instead do it the other way around. If you’re in a situation where you’re relying on a cash advance, you should start using your card for the smaller things where you wouldn’t usually consider it, in order to avoid taking the advances and paying the extra interest. Think carefully how you spend.
There are few bills now that need to be paid for with a cheque, consequently there are fewer reasons to ever use a credit card cheque. If you’re willing to make a call and wait in their queue for a while or there's a facility to pay online, the chances are you can get them to accept a credit card payment. Most companies accept credit cards now. The fact is they're loosing out if they don't.
Be Wary Of Advance Limits
If you start to rely on cash advances, you’ll eventually run into an advance limit. The credit card companies don’t advertise it, but many of them have limits on how much of your balance can be cash advances and how much must be in purchases. Check these limits before you start taking cash advances.
Cash Advances Get Paid Off Last
When you begin to pay back your credit card balance, most lenders will put your payments towards the lowest-interest money, your purchases, first and once this is cleared towards any other lending. This being the case you will always be paying the higher interest on the cash advance or cheque until you clear your credit card debt completely and get your balance back to zero.
About The Author
Get free General Finance help and advice from www.1stfinanceguide.com. Credit Cards, Mortgages, Debt, Investment, Real Estate etc.
This article comes with reprint rights. Feel free to reprint and distribute as you like. All that we ask is that you do not make any changes, that this resource text is include, and that the link above is intact.
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