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Balancing debt management with long-term savings

Fitting debt into a monthly budget can be a difficult task. Many people in Connecticut struggle with balancing debt management with other priorities, like saving for the future. Here are a few tips for those struggling with saving for retirement and paying off debts.

Even those who have outstanding debts should consider saving for retirement. Often, the compound returns from savings over decades will be higher than interest accrued on a loan. This is especially true for those who have employers that match retirement contributions, which doubles the money right away. A financial planner may be able to help crunch these numbers and elaborate on retirement saving options.

When considering debt management, it may be wise to pay off loans with the highest interest first. Depending on a person’s situation, lower interest debt consolidation may also be a possible choice. Whatever the repayment plan, it is wise to write it down and make sure it is followed by everyone in the household. Keeping tabs on spending can help people understand where cuts may be possible in household spending.

While people holding a small or moderate amount of debt may be able to balance household spending, long-term saving and debt repayment, many others are dealing with crippling amounts of debt that make any saving impossible. In some cases, they may not even be able to meet basic needs with the money they have available, due to debt management issues. Those facing these more dire situations will likely find it most beneficial to consult with a Connecticut bankruptcy lawyer about possible options.