Malls are filled with loads of white goods showrooms. Not only they have latest models of TV (LED, 3d, HD ), refrigerators,  kitchenware, washers, dryers, food processors, microwave ovens, cutlery, music systems but also they buyers lined up to buy them. Hardly anyone buys all cash. Most of them lined up to buy stuff are through consumer credit.

One of the greatest hurdles in creating a positive net worth is consumer debt. With easy credit availability, everything in the market is available at easy EMI (equated monthly installments – monthly payments). This is luring consumers to buy anything and everything they want.

• Our neighbor has bought a new 85 inches LED, so we must also get something similar, if not bigger.
• I must have a new car to show off my status; after all I am working so hard.
• I must go to Malaysia / Singapore trip this winter holidays as my neighbor had done this last season and they boast it a lot.
• That Tissot watch is so tempting; I must have it alongside my Seiko to go well with my casual dressing.

The list is ENDLESS

Above are the lame excuses we make to ourselves to get into consumer debt. Since today’s generation is earning well, and coupled with easy credit availability, everything seems to be within reach. EMIs make us think that we can afford anything, but in reality, by increasing EMI burden, we are harming our savings and investments in the long run. What if a bad economy patch hits us, times are not always going to be on your side. Suppose you are out of job for few months due to a sudden slowdown in economy, how you are going to manage so called EMIs?

Consumer debt is like a black hole. Once we get sucked in it, it is impossible to get out of it. We get more and more tempted by LOW EMIs or low monthly payments. We are then not bothered about the percentage of our take home that is going out in terms of monthly payments towards these loans. Once we add up the processing fees, interest charged on the loan, the final costs escalates and this makes our purchase financially not feasible by the time the loan term ends.

We see TV’s , print media, online media all tempting us to buy something or other. We tend to flow with the marketing pitches and buy the items which are in WANT category. Sometime we ignore our basic NEED category and give preference to WANTS. These WANTS will not serve any good to you in the long run as they are negating your savings and investment potential. Remember in later years, these things are not going to support you. You need funds in terms of retirement savings to take care of you.

Avoid consumer debt like plague; invest money smartly for your retirement years. Ultimately you are the decision maker of your life and you have to make sure that these little EMIs do not end up denting your retirement savings.

There are some good credits and some bad credits. You need to wisely distinguish between them. Good credits increases your net worth in terms of appreciation of the item purchased and also they give you tax breaks. Home loan or mortgage is an example of good credit.

Consumer loans come under bad credit. You buy the stuff which loses its value considerably the moment it comes out of the showroom. Also, you pay interest, processing fees and you do not get any tax break on this purchase. It’s your choice now, what kind of loan you should pick for your financial independence.

Have you bought anything recently on easy credit?