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HOW TO GET AHEAD WHEN YOU’RE BEHIND ON BILLS- (Continued - 2)


STEP #9:  REDUCE SPENDING

Once you’ve cut what you can from your budget, now it’s time to get even more creative and see where you can trim in other areas.
The easiest and most obvious place to start would be grocery spending and utilities.  Meal planning, using coupons and planning meals around what’s on sale are great ways to save money on food.  

 STEP #12:  DOWNSIZE YOUR LIFESTYLE


If you come to a point where you’ve done everything you can possibly think of to cut expense and increase income and you still find yourself in a hole, you may  seriously start thinking about downsizing.
Is your home more expensive than you can afford?  With home ownership, there’s more to it than just the mortgage payment.  There’s taxes, homeowners insurance, maintenance, HOA fees, etc.
Are you car poor?  Are you driving a car that you can’t afford?  The average car payment, in this country, is over $400 a month.  Then you take on insurance, gas and maintenance.
Consider moving down to a smaller, more affordable version of these things.  Think how much easier life would be without a car payment or a smaller mortgage payment.
If moving isn’t an option right now, you may want to consider refinancing.  Rates are still relatively low and it may be a good way to lower your monthly payment.

DON’T GET DESPERATE

Whatever you do, don’t get desperate.  We all know that desperation can lead to bad decisions.  Resist the temptation of payday loans or cash advances.  Payday loans are so bad that even Google has banned payday loan ads from their website.
These loans can run into the triple digits.  There’s only one word to describe that…NUTS!  If you think your situation is bad, payday lender loans will take that bad situation and make it ten times worse.

THERE’S HOPE

Being behind on bills is one of the most stressful experiences you may ever have to endure, but there is hope.  Once you identify why you are in this predicament, you can work towards resolving the situation.
Also remember, it’s going to take time.  Your situation didn’t happen overnight  and you can’t expect it to get better over- night.  But with some time, some careful planning and patience, you can turn this situation around and begin setting and achieving your financial goals.
Have you ever found yourself in this situation?.. ..... .......



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