Discover Debt Freedom!

There are many things that individuals do every day that reduce their chances of becoming debt free in the future.  These bad financial habits end up costing the individual a great deal of money over the course of time in late fees, higher interest rates, and increased debt to creditors.  Some of these financial habits are hard to break, but the sooner you can learn to avoid these common mistakes, the quicker the money you save will add up

1. Not checking your credit report
Many individuals do not check their credit report for inaccuracies each year because they do not believe that there is anything that they can do to change the information contained within the report.  The credit reporting agencies are required by law to investigate any disputed items on your credit report and correct them if inaccuracies are found.  Having incorrect items removed from your credit report can raise your credit score and lower your interest rate for credit related products.

2. Using store credit cards for the store discount
Using store credit cards to receive a special discount that the store is promoting is only cost effective if the balance on the credit card is paid off each month.  Store credit cards typically carry higher interest rates than general purpose credit cards, so a general purpose credit card should be use for any purchase you will be carrying a credit card balance on.

3. Not making a budget (or sticking with it)
For some reason, many individuals see budget as a dirty word, only used in conjunction with lower paid individuals.  The truth is that creating a budget for routine purchases and bills will help the individual take control of their finances and see where their money is going each month.  Creating a budget can also help the individual save money as they will be able to see where unnecessary purchases are being made and trim those areas of spending.

4. Not saving for a rainy day
Many individuals put off saving money for unexpected expenses in favor of the immediate gratification of purchasing an item that will satisfy an immediate need.  Unexpected expenses are one of the biggest contributors to an individual falling into debt and can trigger late payment fees for creditors, higher payments due to interest on the charge, and less money for any other unexpected expenses that may arise.

5. Hiding when financial hardship hits
One of the worst financial mistakes a person can make is refusing to talk to their creditors when a financial hardship hits.  Although you may be embarrassed or angry about your situation, hiding and ducking your creditors will only make the situation worse.  If you have a good reason for the financial hardship, such as loss of a job, divorce, illness, or death of a spouse, the creditor may be able to work out a payment plan with you to keep you from falling deeper into debt.