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| image, not mine |
This is among the questions that many would find it too hard to answer. Why? Because whether we accept it or not, debt has been a part of our lifestyle. All of us want to live a good life, the kind of life that is so carefree, happy-go-lucky, and adventure-filled kind of life!
Who doesn’t love to travel? Who doesn’t love to wear the latest in fashion? Who doesn’t want to experience a staycation in a five-star hotel? I bet, all of us want it. But reality has it that right now, nothing comes for free. All the good things in life come with a price.
There are many factors that lead an individual to get credit from lending institutions like banks, cooperatives, and even our colleagues. One fact is that what we earn is never enough for all our needs. Even some CEO in big companies can attest to that. The higher is our status in society, so do our lifestyle needs. For a breadwinner who needs to send a family member to school, he might be facing the same dilemma. Indeed, having debt is not only a problem for small-time individuals, it could be a problem too for those who are making and earning a large sum of money but could never get enough with their higher standard of living.
Debt is not really that bad at all. It is our last option when we are running out of financial resources. It could help us in times of our immediate financial needs. However, debt could only become a great problem if, and only if, we do not know how to pay it back properly. As we all know, the money we owed is associated with monthly interest, that is where the loan sharks earn their profit. One concrete example of this kind of situation is the credit cards issued by private banks. Based on research, most credit card holder only pays the minimum monthly payment, which is actually just a portion of the interest that accumulates monthly plus the annual fee is another burden to them. It is in the manner of paying that some people could not comprehend just yet until they realized that they could not afford to pay the capital anymore. For a situation like this, one must undergo first a financial literacy seminar before they will indulge themselves in debt. One has to understand all the consequences of not paying their debt on time.
For those who were on the brink of losing their sanity because they could not afford to pay their debts anymore, they must consult a financial coach that could assist them in what to do. Others may resort to debt consolidation programs that could help them settle their debt problems. You may click here to know more about debt consolidation. Unsettled debt could really affect us mentally, socially, emotionally, and spiritually if we do not know how to manage it well. As a matter of fact, others may apply for a loan buy-out with an established bank, but again, it’s another form of debt.
Debt may be inevitable for all of us but we need to control ourselves. We must learn how to meet both ends, to live within what we can only afford. One book that I have read stated that, if only people know how to live a frugal life, debt may not be a big issue. If you apply for a debt to make it as capital for a business in mind, then that would be okay since it will be returned to you in due time- and it is even considered a good investment. However, if you indulge in living the kind of life beyond what you can only afford, that is how the problem begins. For financial issues and concerns, you may also consult a wealth advisor to help you manage your finances well and live a debt-free life.
Now let's go back to the question: Is it possible to live a debt-free life? for me, it's a yes as long as you are determined and have a disciplined mindset.
