Debt

@mel13088 (265)
United States
April 21, 2010 3:36pm CST
It's almost impossible these days not to be in debt. I'm in college and have a year until graduation. I'm trying to keep my financial situation off my mind but I feel like it lingers. Credit card bills, student loans, things I want, etc. Money is everywhere. What do you do to keep your debt off your mind and how do you plan to take care of it? I can't do anything other than make payments and work in the summer. Hopefully I'll have a good job when I graduate so I can get things taken care of. :-)
11 responses
@markleob (1902)
• Philippines
22 Apr 10
it is true that we can live without debt but be sure your debts dont exceed the amount you can pay... strive hard and just dont give up... we almost have the same story but i dont mind the debts because i dont really much into it... . i only spend whats in my pocket... just live simple and not that extravagant to avoid much expenses...
@markleob (1902)
• Philippines
22 Apr 10
cant live, rather
@mel13088 (265)
• United States
30 Apr 10
I'm trying to look at my situation with the future in mind. I want to avoid having a lot of debt when I graduate so that all I have to worry about is paying student loans and paying for somewhere to live. I'm trying not to live extravagantly and save money when I can. I've been using my meal plan money to eat on campus a lot lately instead of trying to go out.
@markleob (1902)
• Philippines
30 Apr 10
well that is good to hear,,, hope you can really avoid having debts so much... god bless...
@piya84 (2581)
• India
22 Apr 10
hiii there Study hard and make contacts esp with friends who are already working in different companies and who are in HR department.They are the who will let you know first when positions are empty at their place.HR department people are always in search of honest and hardworking people so be hardworking and honest and be in their touch and there you go you will get some nice job. Best luck and dont worry much about job.YOu will get one soon.
@mel13088 (265)
• United States
30 Apr 10
My college, like most other colleges, has a career center so I'm planning on using that within the next year to help me find a job for after graduation. They do so much from mock interviews to on campus job fairs and recruiting. I'm trying to make sure I'm keeping up with all the contacts I need to keep up with. It's hard sometimes. :-) Thanks for your response!
• Philippines
22 Apr 10
I do have my share of debts but my husband and I are trying our very best to repay them all . .. . We are in tight budget right now as our money goes to our mortgage, loans and other bills . . . that's part of life ..
@mel13088 (265)
• United States
30 Apr 10
Yeah, I guess its better for me to figure out how to handle these things early in life instead of later.
@LaurenInLA (2270)
• United States
22 Apr 10
There's nothing that you can do about student loan debt. If you have to incur debt to get an education, that's money well spent IMO. What you can do something about is all of the rest of it. Here's my advice. Don't ever charge anything on a credit card that you can't pay for in full when you get the bill. If you've already gone down that path, stop using the card now and make double principal payments until you've paid the card off. In terms of things that you want, save money until you can pay cash or put it on your credit card and pay it off the next month. I pay cash for my cars and keep my cars until I have enough money to pay cash for a new one (usually 8-10 years). The only thing that DH and I went into debt for was our home and we paid additional amounts every month on the principal and paid it off in 15 years. What then? We bought house #2 and did the same thing. Because of our financial conservatism, we were both able to retire at age 55 and have the means to do virtually anything we want.
@mel13088 (265)
• United States
22 Apr 10
Good for you! Your advice is wonderful. Thanks for your input.
• United States
19 Jul 10
Your college loans are considered to be good debt because you are investing in your education. Education is important because it will help you keep ahead in life. If possible I would work this summer (if there are any jobs available) and just focus on paying your credit card bills. I would also try not to spend too much money on personal items unless you really need it. I hope you can find a job once you get out of college.
@Godmother (476)
• Indonesia
22 Apr 10
I think what you are thinking is okay. If you have debts, just put it down on paper, and make a scheme how you will pay for it, and consistently do it. It will mean you have to live frugally for a while, but it's worth it. Learning to spend your money wisely is a skill you should develop. Whenever I see something I want badly, but really can't afford it, I always tell myself : "I'm going to get that thing...but not now." instead of getting it by my credit cards. Life is hard these days, but if other people can get by, we can too..
@mel13088 (265)
• United States
30 Apr 10
I know I'll get it all taken care of...eventually. Its hard when you know you have a credit card and you're shopping and you think...oh I want that. I've been browsing on the internet lately and I really want a new laptop but I definitely can't afford it right now so hopefully one day, I will be able to get a new computer or laptop...but not now. :-) Thanks for your response!
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
21 Apr 10
one good way to get out of debt is to stop using credit cards, only use cash and make a list of things that you buy (budget). also stop shopping. there comes a point when you dont need anything, all you are buying are wants. there are lots of ways to save money too but too many to mention here.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
21 Apr 10
You need to do whatever you can to keep your debt as low as possible. Every university and community college has information about scholarships and grants. You can also find information about them online. Did you know that many scholarships are not awarded because no one applied? So, apply for any and every one you can. You also need to learn the difference between something that you "want" and something that you "need". Try to avoid using your credit cards and pay off the balance as soon as you possibly can if you do use them. Keep in mind that your debt effects your credit score and your credit score determines whether you can finance something (a car or a home) and what your interest rate will be.
• Philippines
22 Apr 10
The most important thing to prevent it before it becomes a problem. Spend enough as how much your means can provide. If you didn't involve yourself to such, then you don't have anything to think about, right? Well, because it is there and it is hard to deal with, maybe you can start listing down all your debt and how you plan to pay it. Debt less your income equals your remaining debt. Do the math until the debt reaches zero, that way you can stop to worry because you jnow that after some time you will get to pay your debt already. And one thing more, as you experienced, you should at least keep yourself from increasing the debt. Remember the formula I mentioned, Debt less income equals remaining debt so don't add to the debt part again.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
21 Apr 10
You are smart that you are learning these lessons early in your life for one. It took me until I was 29 years old before I got to the point that I didn't want to deal with debt anymore. So, what my husband and I have done to help to get us out of debt and also living our lives in such a way that we aren't depending on money that we don't have in our possession is to be in a debt management plan. This has helped us tremendously in just the last seven months that we've been a part of it. That might be something that will help you as well.
@umabharti (3972)
• India
22 Apr 10
hi , i started recently to trading in shares.I made some 100 dollars investment .On the first day i learnt buying of shares and selling them to gain profit.but some shares bought were not incresing in their price so that i can sell.the next day i bought some more was not aware that i would go into debt and my limit will reach.so i did not get limit.i am in debt .if i sell the shares with me for a profit then i will get recovered of the debt and i will be given the limit to trade again.nice lessons i am learning .present i am selling the shares and buying so that i am making profit out of them.