New Year’s “reality check” Resolutions to set yourself up for success!
- Pay off Debt – It’s great to be debt-free, but if increasing payments to creditors means you’re NOT paying priority expenses on time, then you may make your financial situation worse. Keep the home life stable by ensuring that the rent or mortgage is current, utilities are on, food is in the frig, gas is in the car and prescriptions are filled. Get a holistic plan to tackle that high interest debt, by figuring out your monthly cash flow, monthly and periodic expenses, emergency savings, and debt payments. Hint: Make your first New Year’s Resolution to attend OnTrack WNC’s Budget & Debt class and create a plan that works for you!
- Save Money – Savings is very important, but it’s also important to consider the interest rate and balances on your debt before you sock all your extra money into savings. If you’re paying double-digit interest on credit card balances putting a significant amount of money in savings (earning less than 1%) will cost you in the long-run. Guess what you need? A comprehensive assessment of your finances, from OnTrack WNC we will help you create a plan to build the savings and get rid of your debt.
- Improve Credit – There are lots of myths and misconceptions about what hurts your credit score and what can improve it. It can be very confusing! The TV is overrun with commercials from companies offering credit reports or monitoring services. In addition, the different purpose for checking credit can influence was type credit report is pulled; for example rental housing, car loans, mortgages, insurance, employment, just to name a few. Good news: OnTrack WNC has a class for you! Check out our Credit Class which is offered every week; sign up and learn strategies for building or rebuilding your credit!
REMEMBER you don’t have to do this alone! We’d love to help you work toward your goal. Learn more about our programs and services here!
