Did you know that the average American has around $38,000 of personal debt? In addition to personal debt, many families own a house with an expensive mortgage. 

Having a ton of debt can make it difficult to pay your bills, lower your credit score, and make it harder to qualify for a new loan. If your family has a ton of debt, getting out of debt may feel impossible.

Are you looking for some of the most helpful family debt management tips? If so, keep reading to learn more about the top debt management tips for the family. 

Make a Plan

One of the first steps to managing debt is knowing how much debt you have and making a plan. When adding up all your debt, make sure you consider credit cards, car loans, mortgages, and collections. 

Once you know how much you owe, you should determine how much you spend each month. Focus on paying off the debt with the highest interest rates first. 

Pay More Than the Minimum Payment

If you are on a tight budget, your only option may be to make minimum payments on your debt. If you have no other choice, meeting the minimum payment will allow you to pay off your debt over time. 

If you have any extra money to spare each month, you should pay more than the minimum payment. Paying more than the minimum will allow you to pay off your debt sooner and reduce the total amount you have to pay. 

Talk to a Debt Counselor

If you are feeling overwhelmed by your debt, getting a debt counselor is a good idea. Debt counselors can help you make a plan to manage debt and prevent you from getting more debt in the future. 

When you work with a debt counselor, they will help you make a budget, determine which debt to pay off first, and give you financial advice. Before hiring a debt counselor, discover more about debt counseling.

Don’t Add More Debt

When you are in debt, it’s important to avoid getting more debt. If you add more debt, it will take you longer to get out of debt. Instead of paying extra on your other debts to get rid of them, you will have another payment. 

The only time you should take on more debt is if you find yourself in an emergency. Don’t apply for a new credit card just because you want to buy unessential items. 

Build an Emergency Fund

Before you start using every extra penny to pay off debt, you should create an emergency fund. Having an emergency fund can reduce stress, encourage good financial habits, and prevent more debt. 

If you have to go to the hospital or your car breaks down, an emergency fund will help you pay for it. 

Are You Ready to Use These Family Debt Management Tips?

Being in debt can increase stress, lower your credit score, and leave you in a financial bind. If you want to lower your family’s debt, keep these family debt management tips in mind. 

Did you find this debt management guide helpful? If so, check out the finance category to learn more about debt management.