Drowning in Debt? - By: Sherry Tingley

Debt management is something we do on a daily basis. According to the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, many Americans struggle with managing their debt.

Whether your debt is caused from overuse of credit, unexpected medical expenses, a job loss or emotional credit card spending, getting your debt under control is crucial.

You might think that if you are well educated your problems are minimized. That is not true. Take the latest story from Oprah's Make Me a Ten Makeover and you will see why.

Tisa McGhee, 39 years old, a single mother with two small children, has two master's degrees and a PHD. Even she has gone through struggles keeping her debt under control. Several incidents brought her to the place where she felt she needed outside help.

Although Tisa had a job making $76,000 a year, she began to have problems because of an adjustable interest rate on her mortgage that went from 7.2 percent to 10 percent, a car accident when she carried no car insurance, rising student loans that were used to cover living expenses, a divorce that resulted in overspending for emotional reasons and finally a job loss in August of 2009.

To help Tisa, Oprah sought out advice from Michelle Singletary, a financial columnist for the Washington, Post. Singletary said, "It's common for smart people, just like Tisa, to make bad decisions and end up dealing with multiple problems—excessive debt, job loss, a costly divorce—all at once."

There were two strategies developed as a recovery plan. Both short term and long term plans were suggested to get Tisa back on her feet. The plans really can help anyone manage their debt better, so we will discuss these strategies in hopes of helping you get closer to your financial goals.

Debt Management - Short Term Plan

1. Stick to a budget and find out where you can cut back expenses

2. Stay on top of your mortgage payments

3. Stop making extra debt payments while unemployed

4. Get financial counseling from National Foundation for Credit Counseling

Debt Management - Long Term Plan

5. Stop using shopping as emotional therapy to make you feel better

6. Save to buy a used car and pay cash for it

7. Aggressively pay down debt

8. Pay down student loans

9. Build your business

According to Citigroup, "Millions of Americans face the risk of foreclosure every year. " If you are facing that problem, you can seek help through online personal financial advice about your debt management strategies.

Seeking help in getting your finances under control is not something to be ashamed of. If you need help, use the resources available to you to get you back on track.

Each new day that we live we have to make the same types of decisions. You decide to eat based on what you feel is best for your body. You also decide over and over again during just one day whether you can afford to spend your money on something you want or to reduce your debt.

If you will use these strategies as faithfully as you regulate any other area of your life, you can enjoy long term prosperity.

Copyright (c) 2010 Sherry Tingley

About the Author

Learn some easy ways to save money. Set goals for saving enough to purchase what you really want. Save up to 50% off regular bank prices by ordering your personal checks or business checks online.

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