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Dealing with Debt

For many of us, some form of debt is a fact of life, but in my view it’s something we should use for our advantage rather than against us.

Carrying a lot of consumer debt such as credit cards and loans acts like an anchor dragging behind us or trying to drive with the handbrake on.

Not that I am demonising all kinds of debt, far from it. How difficult would buying a house be without a mortgage or many of the functions of modern life without some kind of credit option?

My purpose here is to encourage you to pause for a moment and think about how much debt you have and how quickly you can pay it off.

Photo by Anete Lusina from Pexels

How to Save Money on Credit Cards

If you have credit cards do you pay off the full balance very month? If so great, if not you are certainly not alone. The average credit card debt in the UK is almost £2000.

Do you remember opening a credit card account? Whether online or over the phone, you were most likely given the option to make you monthly payments by direct debit. Which is a good thing, so you don’t forget the payment and incur fees plus damage to your credit score.

But here’s the thing, the credit card companies usually give you the option to pay the full balance or a minimum percentage such as 2 or 3%. This is a sneaky trick which costs you more in interest and takes years to pay off the debt. Think about it for a moment, how do the credit card companies make money? Largely by charging you and I interest on our outstanding balances right. So, it’s in their interest (excuse the pun) to keep you paying the debt for as long as possible.

I made a video which explains saving money on credit cards in more detail:

As an example, if you had £2000 outstanding on your credit card at a 20% APR, a minimum 2% payment would be equivalent to £40 a month.

If your direct debit was set up for this £40 fixed payment it would take 7 years 11 months to clear the debt and a total interest cost of £1,818.

But if you just left it alone and paid the 2% as a direct debit it would take, wait for it, 42 years to clear the debt at a total cost of £5,588!

I don’t know about you but that makes me angry and is one of the reasons I am so passionate about financial education to stop people being ripped off like this.

Find a Lower APR

Once you have ensured you are paying a fixed amount, rather than a percentage the next step is looking at the cost of interest or APR and if you can switch to a cheaper provider.

In these days of low interest rates, there is no need to be paying 20 or 30% interest on your credit cards. Use a comparison site to see if you can switch outstanding balances to a lower rate card or take advantage of a zero percent offer.

Of the money you pay every month, the vast majority goes towards the interest and very little is taken of what is called the principal, or amount you owe. So basically, you are running to stand still.

With a zero rate card, the payments are all going towards paying off the principal, which is why the debt can be cleared faster.

What about debt consolidation loans? Good question. If you have several credit cards at say 20% interest and could clear them with a loan at for example 10% that would make sense, right? Well, maybe, it depends on how long you take the loan out for. Its tempting to go for a longer term perhaps 5 years or more and thereby reduce your monthly outgoings. But remember to look at the total cost of borrowing, which should be provided.

It’s nice to reduce the amount you are paying every month, particularly if money is a bit tight at the moment. But it can be a false economy if you end up paying more in interest in the long term.

Plus if you do go down this route, once you clear your credit cards don’t be tempted to start spending on them again. Hide them in a drawer for emergencies or close one or two if you have several. Keeping your credit utilisation rate low improves your credit score. So as tempting as it might be to ceremoniously cut them up, keeping a credit card with no or low balance can be a good thing.

Having a Plan

The third way I am going to suggest you deal with debt is by creating a plan for overpaying your credit cards and loans but in a systematic way.

In my courses and live events, I teach a system called the snowball effect.

To start write down the outstanding balances on all your credit cards and loans. You may wish to use a simple spreadsheet or a pen and paper.

Then write down the interest rate and minimum monthly payment for each one.

Next rank them in order of the outstanding balance, with the lowest at the top.

Each month you commit to overpaying that amount by as much as you can. Maybe you can earn a little extra from working overtime, a second job or a side hustle business. Maybe you can also trim your expenses elsewhere.

Imagine that the minimum payment was £40 as in our earlier example and you could find an extra £50 per month and you directed the combined £90 at the first balance. All the extra payments are taken off the principal because your regular payment is covering the interest.

After a few months that debt has gone. You now have a ‘spare’ £90 per month which you use to target the next lowest balance. Now that card will be cleared in a much shorter time and you can roll the mount you were paying there onto your next debt.

It also works for loans and even your mortgage, if your provider will allow a degree of over payment.

In Summary

Lots of information here so let’s recap.

Start by getting clear about how much you owe, and the minimum payments needed for each card or loan.

Then look to switch to zero or low-rate cards if you can.

Ake sure you are paying a minimum amount as a fixed sum rather than a percentage.

Finally use the snowball effect to create a plan and stick with it. You will see the debts dissolve in record time.

It takes a little time and discipline but as Jim Rohn so eloquently said, the pain of discipline is always less than the pain of regret.

If you would like some help or coaching through this, debt management forms part of my Financial Liberation programme, which is a 6-week live online course. Details are on our website at fearlessfinance.co.

How to Get Your Child to Learn More About Real Estate

Teaching can be fairly easy when it comes to your first few years as a parent. You’re taking care of your little one, you’re letting them develop their own interests, and on top of that you’re teaching them the basic things such as ABC and counting to ten. While the theory of teaching and taking care of children sound simple, in practice, it can be quite challenging of course. But as your child navigates through life, they’ll learn more about how to survive once they reach adulthood so they can thrive.  While school can teach plenty of life lessons to your children, one thing they don’t teach is real estate.

Real estate and real estate investing are important. It needs to be known and understood so adults can purchase their first house. But property value isn’t the only thing either, interest, mortgage, banks, savings, and overall financial health also play a major impact in this as well. These are things that aren’t exactly covered in school, quite possibly in college as well.  So, how can you teach this to your little one? How can you get them to understand the importance of financial health and the impact of real estate? These helpful tips may be all you need to get started on this journey.

Why is it so important to teach children about real estate?

Many people think that it is not a good idea to teach their kids about real estate because they want them to have a carefree childhood. While that’s understandable, a child has to learn so they can make smart decisions once they reach adulthood. Besides, there are many benefits to learning about real estate at a young age. Children who are taught about real estate at an early age are more likely to purchase their first home before the age of 30.

Start by teaching them the value of a dollar

Children believe that money is an infinite source, that there doesn’t need to be any work, trade, or anything in order to receive it. It’s natural for kids, especially small kids to have their train of thought. So, what can be done? First, begin by teaching them that money is a scarce resource and it’s not something that their parents can pull out of thin air.  You just need to find an age-appropriate way to get them to understand, and one of the classic ways is through chores.  Getting them to understand money at a young age is going to ensure financial wellbeing.

Letting them work for the money will also let them know that there needs to be some sort of trade to get money. It also teaches them that if they want something, they will need to work for it, and it also teaches them that the things they have, are thanks to their parents working for it.  It takes a little while to teach, but kids will eventually get the understanding.

Let them play video games

While real estate is something that can be difficult to grasp for someone at any age, the sooner, the better. So teaching it to them at a young age will be optimal. If you love video games, then this could be a great and engaging way to have some fun with your child while also teaching them about real estate.  There are plenty of video games that are out that do teach basic economics, financial health, and real estate. You, of course, will want to choose a game that can nicely reflect on your child’s age.

While The Sims franchise can be a great option if you have a tween to teenager, for the younger kids you could opt-in to playing Animal Crossing or Harvest Moon. This family fun bonding time can be one of the best ways to get your kid interested in real estate.

Get them involved

If you’re a property owner, why not talk about your property with your little one? You can explain the ways that you’re working towards raising the value of the property (such as home renovations or curb appeal), but if you have multiple properties, you can get them involved in that as well.  This can include letting them look at a lodger agreement template for your tenants, but you can even teach them the odds and ends of how you invest.

 Children are visual learners, so getting them to learn all about this up-close and personal can be a great way to get them to understand all about it. So just bring them along when you’re working on boosting property value, managing money for your real estate, and when you’re hunting for real estate to buy. It can be a great educational experience for them. 

How Your Home Can Increase Your Income

With the cost of living rising and many people’s finances being pushed to the limit, it is unsurprising that an additional income is an appealing idea for many people. Everyone would like the opportunity to earn more money and give their finances a boost. But, other than working extra hours at your current job, knowing how to make more money can be challenging. One money-making opportunity you may not have considered is earning money from your home. If you own your property, you could be in the perfect position to start making some extra cash. If you are interested in earning money from your home, here are some options to consider:

Sell Your Land

If your home is set on a spacious plot, you may be in a position to sell some of this land and enjoy some healthy earnings from it. Many real estate developers seek out plots that can be used to build new residential and commercial developments, so if you have land that you are not using, this could be a great way to earn some money. Companies such as NFC Homes are continually looking for land that could be used for development, so it could be worth looking into this further. 

Get a Lodger

Renting out a room can be a great way to earn extra cash if you have plenty of space but do not want to downsize to a smaller property. A few options are available if you have a spare room; renting it out to a lodger could provide you with a steady monthly income. If you live in the city, you may be able to rent it out as weekday accommodation to a professional person who works in the city and wants to avoid a long commute. Alternatively, you could opt for a long-term rental agreement and rent the room to a full-time tenant. Another option to consider is to use your spare room as accommodation for international students; many people make by renting rooms to students for several weeks each year.

Rent Out Storage Space

Renting out your garage or another outbuilding at your property could be a great way to make extra money each month if you do not use it yourself. Having enough space for their belongings is something that many people struggle with, so if you have some extra space at your home, you could put this to use. But, before you rent it out, don’t forget to check for any insurance implications it may have if there was a break-in or damage to the property that is being stored.

Let Your Driveway

If you live in an area close to town, near a sports ground, or a major employer, you could have a lucrative opportunity ready and waiting for you. Many people struggle to find parking when they need it, especially for work, so renting out your driveway is an excellent way for you to put it to use and earn some extra cash in the process.

A Simple Money Management System

The definition of financial wellbeing is a feeling of certainty and empowerment around your money, both now and for the future. Setting up an effective yet simple money management system is certainly one way of helping to achieve that and gaining valuable peace of mind at the same time.

Can you image a beautifully organised walk-in wardrobe? With a place for all your clothes, shoes, bags and more. For me something like the Great Gatsby, comes to mind, with all his shirts and suits perfectly tidy and organised.

Now imagine the opposite, all your belongings just thrown into a pile or dumped into an inflatable paddling pool. Every morning you rummage through trying to find a matching sock, or a top which is not too obviously un-ironed. If this feels a little extreme just picture a typical teenager’s room to get the idea.

Its safe to assume that most of us would prefer door number 1, the organised, systematic and tidy system for the ease, comfort and certainty it brings.

After this detour into home makeovers, you may be asking what has this got to do with personal finance? Allow me to explain…

A Simple Money Management System - image of a tidy dressing room / wardrobe

In many cases our bank accounts and financial lives are more like the paddling pool than the tidy, well-ordered system.

Money comes in and flows out but we are not entirely sure how much or to where. There are direct debits and standing orders, credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay and who knows what else. All in the big paddling pool and we hope that the important bills are paid and there’s a little money left at the end of the month.

Surely there is a better, less stressful way?

The first step is to know your numbers. This was explained in a previous post, so if you haven’t read that one yet you might like to catch up when you can.

But assuming you have a pretty good understanding of how much you earn and how much you spend, here is a 3 step plan for an effective yet simple money management system.

  1. Additional Bank Accounts

Opening an additional bank account can be easily achieved by either contacting your existing provider or perhaps opening a new one with one of the online banks such as Revolut or Starling. (If you are listening outside the UK – firstly hello and secondly there will be equivalent banks local to you). I suggest having 2 current accounts plus a savings account.

2. Pay Yourself First

Rather than waiting until the end of the month and hoping there is a little money left to move to savings, after all the bills and everyone else has been paid, make yourself a priority.

I am going to suggest you set up an automated transfer for two amounts. The first is for savings, the second for Walking Around Money. Let’s concentrate on savings first. Take a proportion of your income and move it to a new or existing savings account.

How much, well that depends on your circumstances. In some ways the habit is more important than the actual amount. Because you are showing yourself and the universe that you are now taking control of your finances and honouring your financial future by paying yourself first.

As a rule of thumb aim for 10% of your monthly income, more if you can but less is ok if that is what your current circumstances will allow.

The second transfer is for your Walking Around Money, or WAM. This is discretionary income which is not already allocated for bills, food or credit card repayments for example.

Again, knowing your numbers is crucial here because by understanding how much you need to cover your monthly costs, you will also know how much you have left to spend as you please.

You can transfer your WAM either monthly or weekly to your newly minted second bank account. Then only use this account for your day to day spending, secure in the knowledge that it will be topped up again at the end of the week.

3. Using Your Primary Bank Account

Your original bank account is used to receive your monthly salary and from it you pay all your bills and regular expenses. You feel secure knowing that all your expenses are covered and automated. Then you can leave that account to happily run along in the background, with just the occasional check to make sure you have included everything and there is always a small positive balance.

Meanwhile you have a growing savings account thanks to your regular contributions and a weekly allowance which you are free to spend as you like.

So there you are an effective yet simple money management system that you can have up and running in less than an hour but will save you time, effort and worry for years to come.

If you liked this post you will enjoy listening to the fearless finance podcast. I look forward to having you join the growing tribe improving their financial wellness together.

5 Tips To Keep Your Mortgage Repayments Low

The average mortgage payment in the UK is £723 per month with an interest rate of 2.48%, according to property experts. However, repayments vary greatly depending on many factors. 

Whether you’ve got your eyes set on a property already or you are simply exploring the real estate market, one of the most important questions you need to ask yourself is: How can you make your mortgage payments more manageable? 

Some tips can help keep your mortgage costs as low as possible. 

#1. Avoid banks, go with a broker

Unlike a banker, a mortgage broker can help find the right mortgage deal for your situation. Brokers are more likely to get you a special rate from money lenders through their connections. As a unique client, you can’t negotiate a lower deal. Yet, a broker can rely on the volume of business they generate to obtain the best possible deal for you. 

Additionally, brokers are also more likely to manage your fees and application process, helping waive high costs in the process. 

#2. Consider your deposit

Typically, your down payment will range between 20% and 40% of the property value. While you can secure mortgage loans with as little as 5% deposit, you want to make sure you can save ahead for your down payment. Being able to pay upfront a high deposit has two important advantages:

Firstly, it can make your price offer more attractive to the property seller. 

Secondly, it also reduces the total mortgage amount, which means you can make monthly payments more affordable. 

#3. Improve your credit score

Your credit score affects your creditworthiness, aka the kind of loans you can apply to. You are more likely to find cheaper mortgages with a higher credit score. Boosting your credit score takes time. Check your annual credit report to review the data available about your finances. Errors can have serious consequences, so make sure credit report agencies have the right data. If you have a joint financial product with your partner, it’s worth checking that their financial history doesn’t affect your score. 

#4. Refinance your mortgage

In essence, refinancing your mortgage means you take out a new loan to replace the former mortgage. Refinancing can save you a lot of money if:

  • Your credit score has improved significantly
  • There are better mortgage deals available with lower market interest rates
  • Your home’s value has gone up, so you’re available for lower rates

You don’t have to wait for your current mortgage to come to an end, and you can search for a better deal up to 6 months before your current deal stops. Typically, mortgages provide a fixed rate deal for 2 to 5 years, after which your interest rate may increase. 

#5. Overpay your repayments

Not every lender is happy to let you pay more than agreed per month. However, if your lender is willing to let you increase your monthly payment amount, it can be worth considering repaying your mortgage sooner. It’s a great option for those who have made unexpected capital gains through inheritance or non-taxable wins. 

Keeping your mortgage fees as low as possible is no easy task. However, you have many options to ensure you get the best deal and manage your wealth in the most profitable way.