Getting Out of Debt in Bahrain | ExpatWoman.com
 

Getting Out of Debt in Bahrain

We have put together some invaluable advice from the ladies on our forum about dealing with your debts in Bahrain

Posted on

27 August 2013

Last updated on 2 August 2017
Getting Out of Debt in Bahrain

Have you found yourself in debt in Bahrain? Are you scared that you will not be able to get out of it? Many of us face this very situation. Many people that come here sometimes find that in order to impress others they need to live beyond their means, or they simply fall into this lifestyle because it’s so easy. Banks are more than willing to give credit card on top of credit card and loan on top of loan until you find yourself drowning in debt.

Everyone has their own formula for getting out of debt and many will give advice. If it is serious think about consulting a professional or consolidating your debts. Debt is never a good thing, especially not in a place where bankruptcy just doesn’t exist.

We took to our forum to see the advice that the ladies living here, and those who have experienced crippling debt can give with regards to getting out of it as soon as is possible. If you are in debt and are looking at curbing your spending here are a few tips:

Dubai_City_Chick advises - Speak to the banks you owe money to (meet with them not over the phone) and try to negotiate a lower interest rate/monthly charge. The fact that your willing to pay your debts back rather than run away shows your clear intentions and the banks hopefully will be able to help you out somewhat.

Gorobattie says - Liquidate your assets: gold, furniture, cars, motorcycle...anything you can sell and get cash for it. You can get scooter to go to work, start cooking and freezing meals for the week, no going out for dinning, cancel your tv subscriptions, sell the tv as well.

SEE ALSO: Costs of Living in Bahrain

The Dangerous Blond'sadvice - * Move house - this is likely your biggest expense here. Speak to your landlord to see if you can break your contract early (perhaps find a new tenant to take over the lease) and rent somewhere cheap. Find a 1 bed in a cheap area and you will save loads - now is not the time for large villas in prime locations. Your bills will be cheaper too.

* Forego all coffees and eating lunch out - a couple of coffees per day and lunch out at work easily adds up to 100aed a day. Instead, bring your own lunch in from home

* Sell your car - if you have 2 cars, sell one and share a car to work. If you have a huge gas guzzler, consider getting a more economical car. You might even have equity in your car (I had 40k in mine when I sold it)

* Give up shopping and buying any unnecessary luxuries like mani / pedis

* Cut up your credit cards - pay each one off, one by one OR transfer the whole balance to the one with the lowest interest rate.

* Draw up an honest account of your monthly expenditures against your income. Obviously the outgoings should be less than the income. You should see here where you're hemorrhaging money

* Get rid of any household help. If you have a maid, let her go, and even if you get a maid in every week, clean your own home.

We hope that this advice helps you in getting out of debt or in saving money. If you need any other advice visit our forum as the ladies are very helpful.