Which debts should you pay off first?
When faced with the demands of repaying multiple debts it is often tempting to stick one’s head in the sand. However, taking a considered approach to paying what you owe will undoubtedly save you money and heartache.
The first set of repayments to address is referred to as ‘priority debts’. To identify these, look at any financial obligations that, if left unmet, could have a drastic effect on your circumstances. This may include mortgage repayments or rent arrears, where non-payment could cause repossession or eviction. Similarly, sums unpaid on council tax could have serious consequences, as you may be declared bankrupt with all its associated problems and stigma. Also check whether you have repayments to make on hire purchase loans for items that are fundamental to the daily function of your or your family. For example, non-payment of a hire purchase loan for your car could cause ructions if it was confiscated and you were reliant on it to get to work.
After priority debts, your main concern should be which debts are costing you the most. This will almost always mean looking at the rate of APR on repayments, rather than the total amount owing, as a high APR will inevitably cost you more over time. Check to see if you have any store card debts to repay, as their rates of interest tend to astronomically high. If you are running in the overdraft of your bank account you also need to ascertain the rate you are paying whilst you remain in the red, prioritising these payments if it is high. Although these debts are probably unsecured, meaning they won’t confiscate your property if you fail meet payment deadlines, non-payment could still result in a County Court Summons. Financial liabilities, such as a student loan, may seem to be more serious than debts on a store card but, in terms of repayment, it may well make better financial sense to prioritise the card. This is because a student loan is generally intended to be paid back over an extended period of time, thus it should have a low APR. It is therefore logical to continue to make the minimal repayments on your student loan until you have cleared the high rate store card.
Research whether it is feasible to move debts on a high APR credit card or store card to a credit card that is either interest free or has a very low APR. This will greatly reduce the amount of money you will lose in interest repayments. If you are being hit by large overdraft fees it may make sense for you to swap to a current account, which, although earning minimal interest, usually have far lower overdraft rates and fees. To give yourself some much needed mental encouragement, if you have a number of small debts outstanding, it is fine to make some one off payments to remove them from your list. This will hopefully motivate you to tackle your more thorny financial obligations.
Next employ what is known as ’snowballing.’ This entails focusing on the most costly debt and paying it off as soon as possible, however, remember you must still maintain minimum repayments on your other liabilities. If there are no penalties for overpaying on your loan plan then this may also be a good idea if your budget allows. Once your highest debt is paid off, this will free up cash for you to focus on the next liability and so forth, gathering moment in a repayment ’snowball.’ If in doubt, always seek the assistance of one of the independent debt advice charities, such as the Money Advice Service.
Find out more about debt management solutions.
January 27, 2012 | Posted by Asaf Warsi
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