Debt Relief with this Simple Formula

Is there a way to get out of debt without getting a second job or having to increase your income in some way? Can the averageperson take his or her current income and pay off his or her bills in a matter of a few years, including the car and mortgage payments?

The answer is YES!!! You can do it without having to cut out all of your fun and extra-curricular activities as well. Now, you may need to cut down on going to the movies or going out to eat, but you will not have to stop altogether. It is a matter of putting together your plan and then sticking to your plan!

The process is fairly simple, most people just don't realize it. Anyone can get started right away, including YOU right now! Here is what you need to know:

1. What is your total net income?

2. What are your debts and minimum monthly payments? (Don'tinclude any extra money you are paying towards any debt. You want only your minimum required monthly payments.)

Okay, are you ready to begin?

The first thing you need to do is take a percentage of your NET income (a good beginning point would be 5%) and write this amount down at the top of a blank sheet of paper.

Next, write down each of your debts (not including utility bills, insurance payments, property taxes, etc.) in a column at the left side of your page. Beside each debt, write down your total balance and then your minimum monthly payment.

Once you have all of these down, divide your total balance by the minimum monthly payment. Write this amount next to each debt. Taking the debt that has the shortest payoff number, number this number 1. Taking the next shortest payoff, number it number 2 and so on until each debt has a number next to it. These numbers indicate the order in which you will begin to pay off your bills.

Now, here is where your 5% comes into play. For debt number 1 take the minimum monthly payment and add it to the 5% figure. Divide the total balance by this new amount to get the total months it will take to payoff the debt. For debt number 2, you will take the minimum monthly payment plus the 5% plus the minimum monthly payment of debt number 1 (since it will be paid in full) and add them together. Again take the total balance and divide it by your new monthly payment to figure your total months to payoff. Do this with each debt until you are finished.

Once you have completed this, add up the total months to pay off your debts to figure an estimate of how long it will take you to pay off all of your debt.

Example:

Visa total balance $6300.00 divided by minimum monthly payment of $153.00 = 41 (months to payoff) 2 (second to payoff)

Auto Loan $13000.00 divided by minimum monthly payment of$356.00 = 36 (months to payoff) 1 (first to payoff)

Mastercard $5266.00 divided by $96.00 = 54 3 (third to payoff)

Mortgage $43,000.00 divided by $325.00 = 132 4 (fourth to payoff)

The auto loan is the first to payoff because it has the shortest amount of time before it is paid in full. Then your Visa balance and so on.

Net Income = $1500.00 x 5% = $75.00

Taking your first debt to payoff which is the auto loan:

minimum payment $356.00 + $75.00 = $431.00total balance $13000 divided by $431 = 30 (months it will take you to payoff this balance using additional 5%)

Visa: $153.00 + $75.00 + 356.00 (since this loan amount is paid in full) = $584.00total balance of $6300.00 divided by $584.00 = 11 (months it will take to payoff credit card)

Mastercard: $96.00 + $75.00 + 153.00 + $356.00 = $680.00total balance $5266.00 divided by $680.00 = 8

Mortgage: $325.00 + $75.00 + 96.00 + 153.00 + 356.00 = $1005.00total balance $43,000.00 divided by $1005.00 = 43

Add your months together: 30 + 11 + 8 + 43 = 92 approximate months to have all of your debt (including you home) PAID IN FULL! This is about eight years! Can you imagine being debt free in eight years???? That means that your home would be free and clear and you would have 100% equity!

If you apply the above formula to your financial situation, you can be debt free without getting a second job or without working extra overtime! Imagine the time you can spend with your family and friends instead of working.Of course if you take a higher percentage of your net income, you will pay off your debt faster!

This is something that anyone can do based on simple math. The trick to remember is to NOT use your credit cards. In fact, cut all but one up! Get rid of them and just keep one in case of a major emergency. Start yourself a savings account to begin building up your emergency funds. Eventually set goals for yourself to save for college funds, retirement funds, etc.

Remember this fundamental rule:

PAY FOR CURRENT EXPENSES WITH CURRENT INCOME

Carolyn Shipp

http://macarolyn.tripod.com/sbtips

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Debt Relief Information:

Related Articles


You Can Make Financial Resolutions Anytime
The New Year often brings with it a desire to right the wrongs in yourlife. From this desire springs the tradition of New Year resolutions.
Craving For Financial Freedom
Have you ever felt trapped in a Rat Race and wished to retire quickly but rich?Have you ever felt that you are spending way too much time working with your boss at your office instead of with those you love? Your spouse, children, friends?Have you ever felt frustrated because you are so deep in debt that you think you won't be able to retire because as soon as you do, the money will stop coming and thus you won't be able to pay off your mortgages and credit card?Have you ever felt that you have no control over your life anymore in terms of time? Think about it: can you take a vacation just anytime whenever you want/ need it and as long as you want/ need it?Have you ever wished that you can work whenever you want and wherever you want?You are not the only one!Too many people are trapped in a Rat Race because they have to. There are too many bills to pay, and too many dreams to fulfill.
Life on a Debt Management Program
Signing up for a debt management program is easy; it's a matter of finding a company you feel comfortable with that is difficult. There should be no pressure added from the company you speak with, joining a DMP is your decision and you should feel like you are in a partnership with the company, meaning you both have control over your financial situation.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Bankruptcy
Outlined below are some of the benefits and drawbacks of bankruptcy. It should be noted that bankruptcy is not to be entered into without first having sought professional advice.
Debt Collectors; And what you can do to Get Them Out of your Life
FTC opinion letter on validation Section 809(a) of the FDCPA, 15 U.S.
Bankruptcy, Is It A Way Out
Negotiations with creditors have failed. Repossession is imminent and foreclosure proceedings have begun.
The Bankruptcy Code Acknowledges the Validity of the Homestead Exemption
Many times the subject of bankruptcy seems baffling in its complexity. Actually the basic principals of bankruptcy are fairly simple even though the federal statuses on bankruptcy are extensive.
The ONE Law You Should Be Breaking
There is a law all smart people break.Parkinson's law.
5 Methods Toward Reducing Your Debt
Decreasing your debt is paramount to having a good credit rating as well as giving you peace of mind. You want to get out of debt, but not all debt reduction options may be beneficial.
Bankruptcy: Who is to Blame?
If you are considering bankruptcy as a solution to your financial problems, you are not alone. Bankruptcy is on the rise in this country as consumer debt piles higher and higher.
What Does A Bankruptcy Trustee Do?
Once you file bankruptcy a court appointed bankruptcy trustee will oversee your case. The new law also requires that the bankruptcy petitioner to take a debtor education course and receive credit counseling from a U.
Christian Debt Consolidation - Feel Comfortable About Managing Your Debt
Many Christians feel uncomfortable with the notion of being in debt, and even more so when the debt has gotten out of control. Some say that it is not acceptable for Christians to owe any money, even for such necessities as a home.
Debt Management Systems
What is a debt management system, and when do you need it? Like any kind of management system, debt help systems can be good or bad. We will take a look at what you can do to manage your debt better.
Reducing Debt Before Its Too Late - How to Avoid the Pitfalls of Creeping Debt
Reducing debt usually isn't a high priority for people until they have already gotten into trouble with overspending. Using a few basic guidelines, and debt calculations, can help you see when your debt load is getting into the danger zone.
Credit And Debt Relief--A One Stop Solution
Amy Wright, 34, was extatic when her realtor showed her the three bedroom townhome overlooking the lushious golf course. It was exactly the home she was looking for.
Bankruptcy - The Easy Option?
Incredibly, since the changes in the bankruptcy law in April 2004, debtors are more likely to petition for their own bankruptcy rather than their creditors! You would think that most people who have been threatened with the prospect of being made Bankrupt would be riddled with fear of the possibility. It is more widely referred to as the "Big B" rather than the dreaded word itself.
Credit Card Debt: How to Get Rid of It
This method is simple, but requires some discipline.First, you have to stop any new spending on your cards.
A Debt Elimination Process Must Be Initiated From You.
The first and maybe most important step in a debt elimination process, is to acknowledge there's a problem and realize that something has to be done with your situation. Some do it before it is too late, though an asthonishing number of people seem to act as if this is not their situation at all.
What the Mail on Sunday Said
Anyone considering Bankruptcy may have experienced fear after reading an article written in The Mail on Sunday with the headline "Bankruptcy cheats face crackdown". But, how much of what was written was in context of the reality of Bankruptcy as it is today?The article implied that since The Enterprise Act 2002 the rise in the number of people going bankrupt was due to them using the Bankruptcy route as a "Get out of jail free card".
The First Step To Getting Out Of Debt: Make The Commitment!
These days, getting into debt is easy.Unfortunately, getting out of debt is not so simple for most people.