Natasha Shaw

By Natasha on Nov 12, 2012

In some cases, it’s easy to become complacent about debt. After all, many times the individual payments are relatively low and often affordable. Many people don’t start feeling real stress about debt until it starts becoming unwieldy. Even then, it’s difficult to really buckle down and pay off the debt as fast as possible.

If you really understand how paying off your debt quickly can impact you you will be more inclined to tackle your debt ASAP. Here are 5 reasons to pay off your debt as quickly as possible:

1. More of Your Money Stays Yours

The reality is that when you pay debt you are paying money to someone else – for nothing in return beyond the privilege of borrowing money. Instead of putting your money toward enriching someone else, you could be using that money to improve your financial situation.

Once your debt is paid off, and you aren’t paying that money in interest, you can keep more of your money.

2. You Can Start Investing the Money

It’s not just about having more of your own money. It’s also about using the money to build wealth on your own. Think about how much wealth you could build if you were earning interest from investments, rather than paying interest on debt! The faster you pay off your debt, the more time you have to put the principles of compound interest to work on your behalf.

3. Get Ready for Retirement

One of the reasons that many people aren’t prepared for retirement is that they have too much debt to pay off. If you have financial obligations, you will have to work longer and retire later. Pay off your debt sooner, and focus on your nest egg, and you can retire when you want – and maybe even retire early.

4. Improved Financial Security

Without obligations hanging over you, the level of your financial security improves. Even if you think that you are doing fine, and that you can handle your current debt payments, think about what happens if an unexpected setback occurs. Whenever you have debt, that is a concern, since your resources aren’t going toward shoring up your financial situation.

Pay off your debt ASAP, and you can start building an emergency fund to help you weather storms, and you can put more toward a secure financial future.

5. Reduce Stress and Improve Your Relationships

Even though you may not realize it, debt puts strain on your relationships. Worrying about obligations – even when they seem “affordable” – can strain your emotions, as well as your relationships.

Once you pay off debt, a lot of that stress and anxiety disappears. You are able to connect better with your loved ones, and you can handle difficulties better. Paying off debt as quickly as possible brings you relief, and can even improve your relationships.

Don’t wait to pay off your debt. Make the arrangements now to do what you can to pay off your debt as quickly as possible. Your finances, and your life, will improve.  

For more information on debt consolidation, contact me at 403-667-2978 or via email: mtg@natashashaw.com.

Inspired by: Tim Lacroix

Source: Retire Happy Blog