4 Main Reasons People Get Into Debt

Debt is a problem that most people will face at least once in their lives.  Modern society has made it easy to find yourself sliding into dangerous levels of debt without realising just how serious the situation may be.  Here are 4 of the main reasons why people get into too much debt.

Lack of Clear Budgeting

It’s hard to adequately gauge your financial situation without a clear budget.  Many people find themselves in debt simply because they didn’t realise how much they could and couldn’t afford.  Before you consider lending any more money or applying for credit, you should take the time to re-evaluate your budget and ensure that you aren’t getting yourself into an insurmountable amount of debt.

Borrowing Too Much

When you are looking to get a loan or credit card, you generally have a clear idea of exactly how much you want to borrow. Sticking to this figure can be hard when the lender offers you far more, and the temptation to accept the higher limit is often difficult to resist.  This is a common reason for people getting caught much deeper into debt than they had expected.  Be firm and stick to your limits, and never borrow more than you know you can safely repay.

Emotionally Driven Purchases

One of the most common reasons that people find themselves facing too much debt is when they have made a large purchase which has been driven by emotion. Whether it’s splurging on a holiday, buying a new car or other major indulgence, these large purchases can often leave you in far more debt than you can comfortably handle. 

Living Beyond Your Means

With the accessibility of loans and credit cards, it’s easy to start living a lifestyle which exceeds your financial capabilities.  Basing your expenses on what you can borrow rather than what you can afford is a sure way to find yourself struggling with debt before too long.  It may be very tempting to upgrade when your bank offers you a higher limit on your credit card, however you should ask yourself if you really need it.  Higher limits and larger loans lead to a potentially disastrous situation that will see you unable to meet all of your repayments.

If you feel like you may already be in this situation, or simply want some quality financial advice, consider consulting a professional debt solutions specialist.  They can assist with everything from debt consolidation to budgeting advice, and can be an invaluable asset in your fight against debt.

It’s important to remember that it’s easy to get into debt, however getting free of it can be incredibly difficult.  By keeping the above situations in mind, you should be able to reduce your level of debt when you’re looking to borrow or get a new credit card.