3 obstacles you’ll encounter while climbing a mountain of debt

Debt can feel like a mountain that can take years to climb. The only thing you can do is take it one day at a time. There are some obstacles you may encounter on your way though, so here are three to keep an eye out for…

The unexpected: When you’re trying to pay down debt, you may be tempted to push your budget to the limit along the way. While it’s great to be more frugal, never forget that unexpected expenses can come out of nowhere. Your car may be great today, but tomorrow your transmission might call it quits. If your emergency fund isn’t in great shape, make sure you’re still setting aside a little extra cash each month for any necessary expenses that might pop up.

The good life: It’s nice to have a budget that allows you to treat yourself every now and again, but if you’re serious about paying down your debt, you may need to take a closer look at your budget and reassess. There may be some areas of your budget that will have to be cut while you’re attacking your debt mountain.

The hole in the boat: If you’re not careful, paying down debt can sometimes be a little like bailing water out of a sinking boat. You’re on your way, your debt is decreasing a little each month, and then suddenly you find a reason to justify a purchase that puts you back to where you were a few months ago. If credit cards are the cause of your debt, you need to either cut them up or put them away until you’re ready to begin a new, healthy relationship with them. When you’re making a plan to tackle your debt, make sure that you and your spouse are communicating so that you’ll be on the same page about spending habits.