Student loans repay them or consider a consolidation
.July, 1 2008 is your best date for student or loan consolidation

Yes this is the grace period approaching for student loan consolidation, so do get cracking, that'll save you a lot. You'll get a discount of .25% straight off, more for placing your payments on automatic deduction and a whole lot more if you can make the deadline. July 1, 2007


THE LIST IS ENDLESS BUT HERE'S SOME TIPS:

* Credit card plastic - can simply be ripped up - use cash for your purchases! That way you'll either have it or not have it, it won't become a debt.
* Work out what you earn and then simply put 10% away for a rainy day.
* When confronting an emergency debt payment, put 60% into savings and live off the remain 40%.
* Know exactly how much you owe to the world. Compile a monthly payments plan with interest amounts, balances and grand total of all your balances.
* Update it monthly and see how effectively you're moving along with that debt!
* Know your expenses and plan them into your future, eg bill in 6 weeks of $1400. Save 6 divided by $1400 = ? per week.
* If you can’t afford to buy something with CASH you have now, then wait and put it off, it may not be so crucial 6 weeks from now.
* Hesitate before you spend a single cent, try it and get used to how it feels.
* Always include a buffer - you'll be less likely to run short.
* Attack the smallest debt and eliminate it - you'll feel more motivated
* Get your spouse or partner behind you and knowing your goals.
* Put limits on your spending tendencies and replace them with good ST's.
* Don't give up or at least if you do, pick up again the next time.
* Stop going to place where you're likely to spend! Do your grocery and supermart shopping weekly and not on an empty stomach.
* Take a hard look at what you truly need and be willing to make compromises. Structure it into minimum, medium and maximum allowable amounts for your needs.
* Recognise that spending can be making you feel better and is often just a habit you can refine.
* Be realistic about getting out of debt; it can be a slow and long time before you're out of it. Learn by this and question your spending.
* Don't jump to paying high maintenance costs, you may be able to simply buy the tools and do it yourself more cheaply.


Finally ...

Make a plan … you're better off with a simple plan than no plan at all.
To make good savings consider - Moving into a smaller place - Doing more with less - Improving your planning for meals, maintenance, gift shopping, finances etc.

Be patient and give yourself a go! You'll learn that you can save by just doing it and watching the steadily reducing debt.

Remember the July 1 deadline for student consolidation of loans too.

Please offer me some more tips I can share with similar debtors.

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