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Debt Management – Conventional Products

Planning a budget, taking into account all of your income and outgoing expenses, can be one of the first steps to getting control of your finances.

Managing your money: 9 steps to financial wellbeing

Financial fitness, or wellbeing, is about feeling comfortable and in control of your financial position. It means having the knowledge and confidence to make the most of your money.

01

Plan your spending

It helps you take control and decide where you need and want to spend. This will include essentials like rent or mortgage, utility bills and transport and hopefully some things you enjoy.
02

Keep track of your spending

Creating a budget is relatively easy; sticking to it can be harder. So monitoring your expenses is vital. Again, you can use applications to help, which shows you how much you’ll have left once your regular bills and payments have come out of your account. Being conscious of when and where you’re spending can help you keep it under control. It can also help you spot areas where you could cut back.
03

Spend wisely

This is about knowing your limits and using your money wisely so you don’t end up feeling guilty. It means focusing your spending on essentials and things you really get pleasure or value from. For example, you can spend money on clothes or going out with friends if those are things you enjoy, but include them in your budgeting so you won’t regret it later.
04

Avoid finance facilities for essential expenses

Borrowing money is not necessarily a bad thing. When used appropriately, debt can help you improve your finances. In particular, you want to avoid borrowing money for day-to-day essential expenses like food or bills, as this may lead to bigger problems. Especially if you’re using short-term credit or overdrafts with high interest rates.
05

Save money

You could set yourself a goal to save towards or aim to save a little extra each month to cover any yearly costs you have. You could set aside money every time you get paid, or use an app to round up your spending and put loose change into a savings account. The key is to make it a habit. Having goals and saving towards tangible things is a great way to stay motivated.
06

Find the best deals

While you don’t want to be over-thinking or second-guessing every purchase you make, it’s well worth doing your research when it matters. Online comparison sites can be a good place to start.
07

Choose the right financial products

Choosing financial products can be hard, given the volume and complexity of options. But, again, it’s worth shopping around to make sure you find the right products for you. Take the time to fully understand products, including the terms and conditions. It’s good to get into the habit of periodically reviewing all your products and looking around for better deals.
08

Prepare for the unexpected

Most of us experience the shock of an unexpected bill every once in a while. It pays to expect the unexpected and the best way to start is building up an emergency fund. This way if something does happen, you’ll have savings to fall back on. It’s generally recommended an emergency fund be equivalent to about three months’ worth of living expenses.
09

Plan for the future

Start putting money aside as soon as possible. Whether you keep this money in a savings account or invest it will depend on your individual circumstances. This would include whether you have an emergency fund yet, the size of your goal, how long you have to get there and your attitude to risk.

Priorities Consumer Debts

Prioritising your debts may help you feel more in control of your money. You could start by drawing up a budget that looks at your spending and assesses how much you have available to repay each month. If you can, look at any areas where you could cut back to free up more money.

Once you know how much you have available for payments, you may want to make a plan using one of the methods below..

Method 1 – Pay off the most expensive debt first

Typically, a cost-effective option is to repay the debt with the highest interest rate first, as it’s charging you the most to borrow the money. List out your debts in order of interest rate, going from highest to lowest. Priorities paying the debt at the top, working your way down the list over time.

Method 2 – Pay off the smallest debt first

While it may not be the most cost-effective method, some people prefer to pay off their smallest debts first so they can reduce the number of debts they have to think about. If you feel this may suit you, list out all your debts with the smallest debt at the top and the largest debt at the bottom. Priorities paying the debt at the top, working your way down the list over time.

Method 3 – Debt consolidation

If you’re finding juggling multiple debts too stressful, a debt consolidation loan can be a way to simplify your repayments and get back on track. A debt consolidation loan gives you the following benefits:

  • Node Minus Alt
    A single interest rate
  • OR
  • Node Minus Alt
    Recurring repayments
  • OR
  • Node Minus Alt
    A clear loan term
  • OR

By effectively transferring all your debts to one bank, you can simply make a single monthly payment instead of worrying about several creditors. Debt consolidation does not only help by making a single payment, it also helps effectively to reduce the APR (Annual Percentage Rate) that you have to pay for. You have two possibilities here. Ring the bank with which you have a good track record – typically your salary transfer account. Alternatively, discuss debt consolidation with the bank where you have the largest outstanding. It’s worth remembering that you should only agree on a payment you can afford.

Reach out for help

If you’re struggling to make ends meet it can be a good idea to speak with friends and family, as well as trained professionals about your situation. It may feel difficult but starting the conversation with someone you trust may help relieve some of the pressures you may be feeling.
Being open about your finances with a close confidante garners emotional support, helps to reduce temptations, and also promotes accountability, helping you stay on track.

Financial Institution/Bank

Your Financial Institution /Bank may have a team that’s able to provide you with assistance and also look at your options if you’re struggling to meet repayments on your debts.
If you’re a FAB customer and you’ve missed a loan, or credit card payment, or you're concerned about your current overdraft position, or you're worried about missing one in the future, we can help. Call our team of credit counselor on ‎600 52 5529 to get a helping hand.

Monday - Thursday 9:00am - 5:00pm
Friday 9:00am - 12:30pm
2:30pm - 5:00pm
Saturday 9:00am - 1:00pm

Credit counselling – 600525529
Mail us on Debtcounsellors@bankfab.com

Details on the Fees

All fees and charges will be as per agreements and published guidelines on the FAB Website.

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