Our financial affairs generally become more complex as we get older and its not uncommon for debt to follow us into our retirement years. By avoiding common debt traps we can access the secrets of creating positive cash flow and have the wherewithal to build a healthy retirement nest egg.
1. Too much home loan
The great Australian dream is home ownership. Plunging into the property market is a feel good exercise. Homeowners want the security of owning their own home outright and over the years watch it increase in value.
The trap is, too many property purchasers get carried away and tend to buy too much house for their budget. Its easy to get carried away when buying residential property and most of us also subconsciously try to keep up with the Joness. Banks will also allow borrowers to stretch their borrowing capacity to what appears to be within the borrowers means. However, most borrowers dont bother, or forget to factor in potential interest rate increases or the loss of employment.
The tip is to borrow well below your borrowing capacity limit. This frees up cash flow to enable making extra repayments into the mortgage. The amount owing gets reduced much faster and along with capital gains will create equity quicker.
Paying of the home loan faster keeps debt at manageable levels allowing an investment portfolio to be started sooner than later.
2. Winging it purchases
We all make impulsive decisions, we see something we have to have and get a rush of blood to our heads and nothing is going to stop us until we possess whatever it is that were fixated on. It could be lap tops for the kids at school, a new car, clothing, furniture etc. On the other hand, there is no money in the bank account, its empty. In this day and age personal loans and credit cards can help us bridge these cash flow gaps; nonetheless they should always be used in moderation.
3. Credit abuse
Credit cards are almost a must have item in your wallet these days, especially if you want to travel or go on holiday. Its almost impossible to book a hotel or rental car without one. They can also be very convenient when we go grocery shopping, buy petrol or we run across that summer sale that presents the irresistible bargain.
Most, if not all credit cards have an interest free period, so as long as the full accrued balance is paid off by the end of the interest free period, then any potential interest charges can be avoided.
Having said that, there are inherent risks associated with credit cards as its so easy to give into impulse purchases. Avoid the mind set of thinking you are carrying free money around in your wallet. As the advertisement always says at the end, gamble responsibly.