While bankruptcy may seem like an attractive, short-term solution to alleviating debt, the process usually hurts people more than it helps. It can take years for your credit to recover from such a maneuver; you may not be able to get financial assistance if and when you need it after filing for bankruptcy. Since this is the case, it can be helpful to be aware of what alternatives exist so that you can avoid bankruptcy but, at the same time, still help yourself get out of debt in a timely manner.
As soon as you feel like you are having financial troubles, create a budget. This will help you to see what income is coming in and how much money is leaving your hand as expenses. Take the time to track your spending and see the patterns that may emerge. Look at your problem areas and see what can be done about such issues. Avoiding bankruptcy may be as simple as adjusting your priorities and being aware of how much money you spend, where and when. Next, organize the way you pay your bills. Individuals who only pay the minimum amount of their bills will not only extend the amount of time that they spend in debt, but they will also have to pay additional fees in the form of...