4 Must-Reads on Debt

The lack of financial education is often the main reason behind debt problems. Here are some awesome books that help grow your financial knowledge and give you all the necessary tips and tricks to manage your debt.

Americans are drowning in credit card debt. Families in the U.S carry $600 billion in card debt, Equifax, one of the three credit bureaus, estimates. Millions of people looking for debt relief are feeling helpless.

Debt-strapped people should always keep themselves updated about the possible ways to get rid of debt. These four great books filled with tips and effective strategies to avoid and eliminate credit card debt can help you in a major way.

Building Wealth and Eliminating Debt. This exceptional book by Charles Carradine is your ticket to financial prosperity. It discusses many personal finance issues in a comprehensive manner. It is a literary manual which endeavors to improve your financial condition.

The author shares tips on a wide range of topics including avoiding debt, its impact on your credit score and protecting yourself from credit card scams. Carradine says that his aim is to educate the readers on how to stay clear to debt and correct poor financial behavior.

How to Settle Your Debts without Committing FinancialSuicide. Author Norman Perlmutter has the predicament of people who struggle with credit card debt in mind. Being a “get-out- of-debt coach,” Perlmutter treats topics like elimination of credit card debt, repairing of credit and reorganizing your finances with considerable expertise. He lists the dos and don’ts when dealing with creditors so that you can successfully settle your credit card debt and avoid bankruptcy.

The Total Money Makeover. Your financial education cannot be complete without reading this acclaimed book by Dave Ramsey. The immensely popular financial expert suggests a slow but steady seven-step strategy for you to attain financial freedom.

Ramsey advises maintaining a rainy day fund of at least $1,000 and following a snowball approach to get out of debt. The book also gives you 50 real-life examples as encouragement.

Life or Debt 2010: A New Path to Financial Freedom. This book by Stacy Johnson is dedicated to helping the debt-stricken get back on their feet. Here, Johnson discourses extensively on money management. He particularly emphasizes how to avoid money traps that push you toward debt. His no-nonsense approach to financial education will keep you from indulging in indiscreet use of credit cards.

Financial education is something that you cannot afford to slight, particularly during times of debt troubles. You need to know all the possible options available to keep yourself afloat. If you read the above books, staying clear of debt and avoiding debt relief programs like debt settlement and consolidation will be much easier.

Check Out These Tips for You College Students

When Credit is a Necessity

The fact that borrowing on credit can be costly is a fact that everyone needs to understand but especially young people who may be more impulsive in their spending. How monthly interest is calculated should be demonstrated using simple math equations and how interest compounds should be explained. The importance of having a lengthy credit history and a high credit score should be stressed.

Lesson #1: How you handle a credit card will affect your future in ways that may not be obvious now. Over time everyone establishes a credit history that reflects how well they handle money. This information is collected into credit reports that are used to calculate your credit scores.

Lesson #2: Handled with care a credit card can have a positive effect on your credit scores.
Lenders use your credit scores to decide whether to approve an application for a mortgage, automobile loans, personal or other types of loans. Mismanage a credit card by maxing out your credit limit and making late payments, and the often, repeated advice to young people to avoid using credit will prove true. If, however, you’re responsible and conscientious in paying the balance in full each month and on time, the benefits to your credit scores and the ability to get credit in the future will be vastly improved.

Lesson #3: The financial success of life on your own lies in taking a genuine interest in the details. Whether you’re choosing a bank, investment firm, employer, credit card or anything other situation that deals with money, what are vital to understand are the details in the fine print. With credit cards, the terms and conditions of each agreement vary and can mean the difference between reasonable and outlandish charges incurred for the privilege of borrowing. Fees and rates can add up quickly.

Factors that should be examined to make a wise decision when choosing a credit card:

• Annual Percentage Rate (APR): Look for a low rate; a high one will cost more.
• Annual Fees: Rates range from $25 to $300. Look for a no or low fee card.
• Penalty Fees: Pay late and you’ll be charged a maximum $25 fee. Go over your credit limit and pay another fee. A penalty rate increase can be imposed for late payments of more than 60 days and remain in effect for six months. Make three late payments and you’re stuck with the penalty rate.

Lesson #4: Using a credit card responsibly takes discipline and commitment. Limit yourself to one card for purchases you can pay off when the bill comes due. Never use a credit card for an impulsive purchase; if you can’t afford to pay with cash, you simply can’t afford it. Frivolous spending will result in an out-of-control balance that may be hard to pay down. Carefully examine every billing statement for errors before making the each payment on time.

Good Luck and Start Your New Life Off On The Right Track!