BBB Tip: New year, new finances!
Milwaukee, Wis. – Is your New Year’s Resolution to get out of debt? Improving your finances and increasing your savings is a common goal on January 1, but it’s not always easy, especially this year.
If you are in debt, you’re not alone. With COVID-19 causing budgets to be stretched in many households, total American household debt is only rising. According to the US Federal Reserve’s Center for Microeconomic Data, “total household debt increased by $87 billion… in the third quarter of 2020.” The relief measures offered by the CARES act and other programs have provided much-needed funds, but many consumers find themselves owing more money. Although getting out of debt, especially credit card debt, may seem daunting, it can start you on the road to financial freedom and wealth creation.
If you want to get your finances in order in 2020 and stick to your New Year’s Resolution, follow these tips from your BBB:
- Take a closer look at your credit cards. Credit cards are known for their high-interest rates, and this can waste a lot of money over time. See if you can use a balance transfer offer to switch to a card with a lower rate. Do your research on BBB.org first; consumers nationwide filed more than 11.000 complaints against credit services companies in 2020. Make sure to read the terms and contract very carefully – there may be big penalties if you miss a payment. If you have multiple cards, decide which debt-paying strategy is best for you. Some experts recommend paying off cards with the highest interest rates first, but others recommend paying off cards with the smallest balances first – figure out what works best for you. Additionally, try sending in payments throughout the month. Put the $5 you would have spent on a morning coffee towards your debt instead.
- Don’t waste money on unethical businesses or scams. When making a purchase or choosing a business, always check with BBB. Making careful decisions now can save you time, money, and headaches later. Research all companies at BBB.org, and check BBB Scam Tracker regularly to see what scams are happening in your area.
- Take advantage of free tools. There are many online tools that can help you manage and reduce your debt. You can use the free and easy-to-use debt solution tool to find options for managing your debt.
- Start budgeting. Creating a written budget and tracking your spending is one of the best ways to save money and stop spending more than you earn! First, figure out how much debt you have; you need an accurate picture before you can figure out your budget. Note the difference between fixed expenses, needs, and wants. If you have debt, include repayment goals in your budget. If you can, try to factor in retirement and emergency savings as well. Save money by giving up your morning coffee and cooking at home instead of getting takeout. Factor in any alternate income that you can think of, like selling unused items or part-time work in the gig economy.
When possible, do business with BBB Accredited Businesses who follow BBB’s Standards for Trust.
For more information or further inquiries, contact the Wisconsin BBB at www.bbb.org/wisconsin, 414-847-6000 or 1-800-273-1002. Consumers also can find more information about how to protect themselves from scams by following the Wisconsin BBB on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
ABOUT BBB: For more than 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. In 2019, people turned to BBB more than 183 million times for BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.8 million businesses and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at bbb.org. There are local, independent BBBs across the United States, Canada and Mexico, including BBB Serving Wisconsin which was founded in 1939 and serves the state of Wisconsin.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
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