Get your finances back on target

With the New Year underway, take control of your finances with our $0 fee personal loan. Below are some tips to get your finances back on target!

Take control

Grab your bank statements for last few months and write next to each transaction a category such as ‘food’, ‘clothes’, ‘bill’, ‘car’ ‘loan’, ‘school’ etc.

Start a spreadsheet and record each amount for each category at least for the last few months so you can get a good picture of your spending habits.

Then list your income - are you in the negative or positive? How much of your monthly spend is going to credit cards and personal loans?

Combine and Save

According to moneysmart.gov.au* Australians owe on average of around $4,300 per cardholder. The average cardholder is paying around $700 in interest per year if their interest rate is between 15 to 20%.

*data last updated 21 August 2015. To read more visit moneysmart.gov.au

What can you do to reduce your credit card and personal loan debts?

1. Check your statements to see the interest rate you’re paying on each of your credit cards, store cards and personal loans each month.
   
   
2. Review your options for consolidating your debts. Chances are that if you combined these cards and other small loans into one debt consolidation loan you could be paying a lower interest rate, low or no fees and you can enjoy one payment per month instead of several!
   
   
3. If you can cope without getting yourself into trouble, cut up your credit cards or if you need one for emergencies hide the card away to resist temptation.
   

Set your target!

If you’ve been living month to month hopefully when reviewing your spending habits you will see where you can by now you’ve free up some money to start saving for something! Here are some extra tips to keep you in the black.

• When you get paid cover all your bills and necessary expenses first.
• Open a savings account (where you don’t have card access) and start adding an amount each month. 
• Set short term and long term saving goals – put an image on the fridge or in your wallet to remind you what you’re aiming for.
• Keep your monitoring your budget and make adjustments where necessary.
  

Getting your finances in order can seem daunting, but if at any stage you need more information on our debt consolidation loan, savings accounts or budgeting tools call us on 1300 747 747 or visit qantascu.com.au. We are here to help!

The information in this article is of a general nature and does not constitute as advice in relation to any investment of purchase. It has been produced without taking into consideration your personal financial circumstances, objectives or needs. Prior to making any decision you should conduct your own investigation and analysis of any benefits or costs associated with such. You should seek your own independent legal and financial advice. Normal lending criteria apply. Applications are subject to QCU’s approval. Terms and conditions apply and are available on request. You should read our Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before opening an account with us. Qudos Mutual Limited trading as Qantas Credit Union ABN 53 087 650 557, AFSL/Australian Credit Licence 238305.