Another Big Brother season is underway and viewers are still gripped by the gradual (and sometimes quite dramatic) psychological demise of people who appeared to be living on the edge to begin with. Its easy to tune in and gaze in disbelief at the people who have chosen to put themselves in this bizarre position all for the sake of the elusive prizes of acceptance, approval and more money. Why do they do it? Perhaps they dont quite realize what theyre getting into in the first place. Maybe it just seems like a good idea at the time so they go for it. Perhaps the temptation is just too compelling. But are we really all that different to the housemates? Just the like the Big Brother house you probably share your life with some unwanted partners and maybe theyre beginning to take over your life. In this case theyre called Credit Card Debt, Late Payment Fees and Overdraft Charges. They seem to come into your life, uninvited, and just established themselves there. And now you cant seem to get rid of them. And theres no public vote to take them out. So who really invited them in and why cant you evict them? The answer lies in a real Big Brother thats lurking in the background of your life. And its not really some sinister Orwellian nightmare, its simply your own temptation getting the better of you. Of course there are some cases where people have really fallen on hard times and are dealing with challenges of debt and poverty that are not their own making. However, there are many more earning a decent salary with no real challenges who have simply slipped slowly into more and more debt. Perhaps youve been tempted by the attractive offers for loans and credit cards. Maybe the magazines full of the latest must-haves have grabbed your attention for just long enough to get you buying. Could it be that those impulse buys, or the offer of a 10% discount at the department store were just the push you needed to put you in your own Big Brother house with some new housemates? And once those unwanted housemates of Debt, Charges and Fees get their feet in the door it can feel like their immune from eviction every month. They just stay there and if anything they get more of a foothold and get larger. Theyre eating you out of House and Home and you cant even go to the Diary Room to complain. So what can you do? Well the first thing is to accept that you actually invited them in and stop denying that you were responsible. Its tough to do but its the first step to putting yourself in charge. Next you need to decide, once and for all, that you want them out. And you need to decide that youre willing to do whatever it takes to evict them. The Charges and Fees can be voted out quite easily by getting yourself a little more organised and setting up direct debit payments to make sure at least your minimum credit card payment is covered each month. You may need to speak to your bank for an extended overdraft but youll need to stay within in to avoid overdraft fees and that does mean watching what you spend for a little while as you get back in charge. Of course, if youre avoiding a few 25 late payment charges each month then youll find staying in credit a little easier. Many people find they can get these unwanted visitors out within a few months or less. The slightly bigger challenge is your Credit Card and Loan Debt. This takes a little more work but, by sticking to an effective plan for paying off the debt, many people find they can clear their debts within a year to two years. The more focus and concentration you put in the faster it goes. And once youve evicted those unwanted housemates you can start inviting a few more friendly faces in, like Savings, Investments, Wealth and Good Relationships. Now wouldnt you prefer to spend your time with those? |
