As a modern consumer, you need credit. When you were growing up, you may have heard your parents or grandparents say, “If you can’t pay for it with cash, then you can’t afford to buy it.” That may have been sound advice 40 or even 20 years ago, but such attitudes about credit are outdated and unrealistic for most adults working and living in modern times. The average cost of a car, house, or college education has skyrocketed when compared to the average household income, so typical consumers need to borrow money if they want to buy a home, drive a car, or educate themselves or their children. Throw in a handful of charge accounts and credit cards, and it is no wonder that the average consumer is carrying more debt than ever before. With greater credit needs comes a greater need for debt management.
Good debt management ensures that you will:
- Have credit when you need it
- Make wise borrowing decisions
- Avoid disaster if you become overextended
You can ensure that loans are available when you need them by establishing and maintaining a positive credit record. You can benefit from many specialized loan programs if you are aware of your borrowing options. You can save money by taking steps to reduce the cost of debt and save yourself from disaster if you know what to do when you can no longer meet your financial obligations.
How proactive are you in managing your debt? What more could you do?
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