As part of debt review, you pay a single, reduced monthly repayment. In calculating this amount, your debt counsellor is thinking of three things:
- Sustainability: The revised monthly payment needs to be feasible and sustainable in the context of your finances and prevent further financial strain.
- Legality: The debt review process operates within strict legal parameters. Your repayment plan must comply with these terms to be legally sound and enforceable.
- Support: You should feel supported in your journey and have access to professional guidance.
With these things in mind, your monthly amount is determined as follows:
Step 1: Comprehensive Financial Assessment
The journey begins with a comprehensive evaluation of your financial situation, including a Debt Health Check. An NCR-registered debt counsellor will scrutinise your income, expenses, and existing debts to gain a proper understanding of your financial capabilities and obligations.
Step 2: Draw up a Customised Repayment Plan
Based on your financial assessment, a customised repayment plan is developed. The key goal of this plan is to make your repayments sustainable, ensuring that your essential living expenses are covered, while allocating an appropriate portion of your income towards debt repayment.
Step 3: Negotiation with Your Creditors
The debt counsellor undertakes the role of mediator, negotiating with your creditors (banks, credit card companies, etc.) to establish a restructured payment plan. The objective is to secure reduced interest rates or extended repayment terms for you, to make your monthly payment manageable.
Step 4: Legal Authorisation
The proposed repayment plan then undergoes legal scrutiny. Upon legal endorsement, the new repayment terms become binding, establishing the formal monthly payment that you are obliged to fulfil under your debt review process.
Lastly: Continuous Review and Adjustment
The debt review process is not static — it evolves with you and your finances. If your financial circumstances change significantly, the resultant repayment plan should be reviewed and adjusted to accommodate such changes.
Understanding the mechanics behind the determination of your monthly payment under debt review is pivotal. It fosters a sense of control and preparedness, enabling a more informed and confident navigation through the debt review process. Armed with this knowledge, you can embark on the path towards financial recovery and freedom with a clearer vision and strategy to pay off your debt.