2023 year in review: 7 tell-tale signs of the debt trap you have entangled yourself in this year

As the end of the year approaches, it’s essential to assess your financial situation with a focus on debt, which can be especially challenging for individuals on fixed incomes. A large proportion of the population, especially those on fixed incomes, will inevitably face debt. However, borrowing money irresponsibly can lead to problems. While many people are still struggling under the weight of high mortgages, the desire for instant gratification is trapping many, especially Millennials and Gen Z, into an unrelenting cycle of credit card debt.

It is important to be aware of the dangers of irresponsible borrowing and the pitfalls of debt. Debt is a common reality for many people, especially those on fixed incomes, but careful management is essential to avoid falling into a vicious cycle. As the year comes to a close, it’s important to be mindful of indicators that highlight the current situation and suggest a possible debt trap. These signs include:

Monthly installments exceeding 50% of income

Attractive marketing strategies like ‘easy EMI’, ‘discounts’, ‘sales’ etc. can be very attractive especially when combined with the innate desire for instant gratification. Nevertheless, succumbing to its charms without thinking it through can definitely lead you into a dangerous situation. A journey through debt and financial stress.

These strategies can fool our perceptions by:

• illusion of affordability: Creates the illusion of affordability by simplifying large expenses into seemingly manageable monthly payments through easy equal installments (EMIs). However, the overall cost of the loan is often underestimated, and you could end up paying significantly more than the original price due to unpaid interest.
• fear of missing out (FOMO): Limited-time discounts and sales create a sense of urgency and FOMO, encouraging you to make impulse purchases to avoid missing out on seemingly “good deals.” We often ignore the question of whether we really need the item or whether it is discounted. The price is still over budget.
• Social influence comparison: Observing others engaging in experiences promoted by fashionable acquisitions and promotions may increase the desire to conform to the lifestyles of celebrities like the Ambanis and Tatas of our country. not. This sense of competition can prompt overspending to maintain a certain image, regardless of the actual financial situation.

ridiculously high fixed costs

Monthly EMIs are just one part of a larger fixed debt puzzle, highlighting the importance of examining your broader financial picture to assess your financial health. Rent, social maintenance, school fees and other day-to-day expenses collectively contribute to your fixed debt-to-income ratio (FOIR), which is a key measure of your debt burden.

Ensuring a favorable FOIR, preferably less than 50%, is undoubtedly essential for financial stability. While this can be difficult for everyone, especially those on low incomes or who can’t avoid high fixed costs, it’s still important to aim for a ratio that’s workable.

As you rightly highlight, exceeding the 70% limit is a notable warning sign. This indicates that a significant portion of income is already allocated to fixed obligations, limiting flexibility and leaving little room for unexpected expenses and savings for the future. This situation can cause financial strain and increase the risk of falling into a debt trap.

Excessive pursuit of frivolous loans

Continuously relying on loans to meet daily expenses is a major red flag and prompt action should be taken to avoid falling into a debt spiral. You need to be careful when borrowing money for your daily life. Seeking a loan for regular expenses like rent or groceries establishes a dependence on debt that can be difficult to break free of. As interest accumulates, this cycle becomes perpetuated and becomes increasingly difficult to break out of.

The ongoing burden of repayments can be a major source of anxiety and stress. This can negatively impact your mental health and hinder your ability to make wise financial choices. Are you aware that you risk losing money forever by repaying your loan? Relying on debt for basic necessities can leave you vulnerable to financial hardship, such as job loss or unexpected expenses. This situation could quickly develop into a more serious debt crisis.

Take out more debt to consolidate and resolve your current debts

Borrowing to settle a loan is generally an unsustainable practice unless it results in significant interest savings, such as refinancing a high-interest mortgage to a lower-interest mortgage. Many borrowers turn to personal loans as a way to consolidate their current debt. Nevertheless, this pattern traps them in a relentless cycle of accruing more debt with additional interest, further reinforcing the challenge of breaking out of it.

Interest rates on new loans, especially unsecured loans such as credit cards, are often higher than existing loans, putting additional strain on household budgets. Relying on debt to deal with existing debt indicates that you are losing control of your financial situation and need to take immediate action to restore stability.

rely too much on credit cards

Using credit cards for daily expenses or relying on debt to pay off loans are both risky actions that can quickly send you into a debt spiral. Credit cards generally carry higher interest rates than other forms of loans, such as personal loans and certain mortgage loans. This means that even small purchases can accrue a lot of interest over time, making them considerably more expensive than if you used cash or a debit card.

Paying only the minimum payment each month may seem appealing, but it can be a misleading trap. The minimum payment often covers only a portion of the accrued interest, leaving you with a remaining balance that will incur larger interest charges in the future.

Credit cards can easily encourage overspending, especially when used for everyday purchases. The ease of swiping a card often encourages impulse purchases and apathy from the actual price of the item being purchased.

Cash withdrawal using credit card

Withdrawing cash via credit card comes with a hefty cash advance fee, typically 2.5% to 3.5% of the withdrawal amount each month. Unpaid interest for a year can reach 35% to 50%.

Financing continues to be refused

Receiving a loan rejection, especially as a result of a drop in your credit score, can be an alarming sign that requires immediate action. While a credit score of 750 or above is generally considered good for most banks, it’s important to understand the reason for the rejection and take proactive steps to improve the situation.

In addition to a low credit score, factors such as a high debt-to-income ratio, recent missed payments, or insufficient income can also influence loan rejection. A comprehensive understanding of the specific reasons is important in order to develop a targeted action plan.

Being denied a loan can prevent you from getting the financing you need for a variety of needs, such as buying a home, starting a business, or meeting unexpected expenses. This situation can put a lot of stress on your financial well-being.

The “buy now, pay later” culture widely embraced by Millennials and Gen Z can lead to debt if not tackled responsibly. It is important to exercise patience and prioritize necessities over desires. Expectations that seek immediate gratification and conform to society can lead to impulse buying and overspending. It’s important to be aware of these triggers and develop prudent spending habits. Finally, lack of financial literacy can lead to falling into a debt trap. Therefore, it is important to acquire knowledge about financial management, budgeting, and responsible borrowing. Something essential.