Commonly overlooked sources of debt
Unemployment, poor management of credit cards and even divorce can push people into serious debt. In some cases, however, debt can come from unexpected sources – even some that may present themselves as opportunities.
And knowing how and when these more surprising sources of debt can arise can help you avoid getting caught in a debt trap that may be very difficult to climb out of later.
Subtler Sources of Debt
- A new home – Of course, buying a home comes with mortgage debt, which is to be expected. Where debt can start getting out of control, however, is when it’s time to move in, customize the home and/or make various fixes or updates in the process. A few hundred dollars for paint, a few thousand dollars for new furniture, etc. can quickly snowball into tens of thousands of dollars of debt. And this can be a setup for failure for new homeowners, especially if even just one more major thing goes wrong with the home and they need to borrow more money to make those repairs.
- A new job – Although new employment should theoretically help people pull themselves out of debt, this can backfire when the job becomes a reason to spend. For instance, a new job may motivate some to purchase a new work wardrobe or even a new vehicle (if the job comes with a raise, for instance). If this spending occurs before the earnings start coming in – and if the spending is exceeding the earnings (or the job doesn’t last but the elevated lifestyle persists), again, people can find themselves entrenched in debt.
- An inheritance – Similar to the new job opportunity, an inheritance (or some other type of significant financial windfall) can also cause people to incur debt when they end up overspending, rather than properly managing their funds. In fact, the real trouble can come when the overspending is one bigger purchases, such as vehicles or real estate. To avoid this pitfall, financial experts typically suggest only spending 1/3 of these types of windfalls (saving the other 2/3 for taxes and savings, respectively).
- A new mobile device – Believe it or not, staying connected can also put you into debt, especially if you are signing longer-term service contracts and you are not fully aware of all of the associated fees.
Contact Denver Bankruptcy Attorney Jon B. Clarke Today
If you are overwhelmed by seemingly insurmountable debt and are looking for a financial fresh start, contact trusted Denver Bankruptcy Attorney Jon B. Clarke for experienced help pursuing your best debt relief option.
To get answers from an experienced and esteemed lawyer, contact us today. We encourage you to complete our Business or Consumer Debtor Analysis Form. You can also get answers from Denver Bankruptcy Attorney Jon B. Clarke by calling our firm at (303) 779-0600 or (866) 916-3950 or by emailing us using the contact form on this page.
