To think that paying off a significant debt should be a priority?

[mameulah]

How do I persuade a close family member to pay off a significant debt?

They always have good reasons why it is not top priority at the moment. Can anyone help me find a simple, and persuasive way, of scaring the crap out of themgetting them to get rid of their debt/

tia

[EBearhug]

I'm with grumpyoldbat, as I was brought up that a roof over your head was your main priority. Debt is not always avoidable, but paying it back it is a priority below things like rent and utility bills, but above things like holidays, new clothes and nights out.

However, I've met people who just don't seem to get that at all, and I'm not sure how you persuade them, because it's just such a different mindset from what I was brought up with.

(So that's a helpful post then. Or not. )

[Khaleasy]

I don't think it is reasonable at all to ask somebody how to "scare the crap" out of someone or how to "apply emotional pressure".

a) it doesn't sound like the debt-person wants the OPs advice, as others have said - why would you need to apply emotional pressure in this case?

and b) if they do want advice, then its a pretty nasty approach to attempt to harass them and "scare the crap" out of them when they have sought your help.

[mameulah]

Thanks everyone. I know the practical ideas to show the reality of the situation will really help.

[grumpyoldbat]

It depends what they are prioritising. If they are prioritising things like rent and CT then they are avoiding more problems for the future.

If the are prioritising things like going out, holidays and other treats then they are not being very sensible IMO.

[IneedAsockamnesty]

Kaosak,

It would very much depend on your financial situation.if you can pay it off by not losing out on essentials then it should be quite high.

But if we are talking a household with financial problems with a choice between priority debts and eating or priority debts and credit card debt and not eating then they come pretty low down the list.

[Mimishimi]

Only if I was asked for money or it was me to whom the debt was owed ... Otherwise I would not interfere.

[Beastofburden]

Kaosak, not sure what happens when you die, but I think that the executors have to pay the debts of the estate before they can give the money to the people you leave it to. So you would owe a shed load of interest and it would all come off the value of our home, before your kids got any money. I think.

[kaosak]

Where does credit card debt stand in the list of priorities? I mean you could spend the rest of your life paying back the minimum and never actually pay any of it back? Is there a limit to the amount of time you would have in theory? Obviously with interest only mortgages there is a D day as you only have the life of the mortgage in which to pay it back.

Musing over this.

[builttolast]

Absolutely sockreturningpixie. I made the mistake of prioritising my debts far too heavily to the extent that my quality of life was unacceptable, then when I got advice I found that it's very hard to take effective action if unsecured, non-priority debts like credit cards aren't paid, so I stopped paying so I could have my life back again. Good to clear them if you can of course, but not if it means going without.

[IneedAsockamnesty]

I don't think you are correct unless the debt would be classed as a priority debt.

Priority debts (an official term) are ones that could make you homeless leave you with cut off essential utilities,council tax,court fines, child maintainance,income tax and tv licence.

Those are urgent.

Then comes essential daily living costs and priority charges ( to prevent further priority debt)

After that comes other types of debt.

[Beastofburden]

Not in her first post, but in her later replies, I think that is what she is saying.

[flowery]

"It is a useful and kind thing to help someone see clearly the consequences of what they are doing, if they have asked for advice, which the OP says they have."

I don't think it does sound like this person has asked for advice tbh. Otherwise the OP wouldn't be asking for emotional pressure techniques.

Mind you, I can't imagine a scenario where I was so involved in anyone's life as to even know what debt they are in tbh, other than my DH.

[Tee2072]

Yes, what Hec said. If they want your help, surely they'll ask for it?

Perhaps they are just too nice to say "fuck off and mind your own"?

[mameulah]

Beast

Thank you. That is very helpful.

[Beastofburden]

It is a useful and kind thing to help someone see clearly the consequences of what they are doing, if they have asked for advice, which the OP says they have.

OP, I would help them make an assessment for themselves. In ten years time, what are their objectives? Do they include owning a home, having a family, travel? What will their financial situation look like, with and without the debt? Take into account, the ability to have a mortgage if they are already in debt, and the effect on their disposable income over the next ten years if they let it run (how much interest they will pay).

It sounds as if you want to empower them but give them a wake up call. Nothing wrong with that, people who are helped to get out of chronic debt often say they wish someone had done it before. You could show them the pages on citizens advice bureau website dealing with problem debt, and ask how they would feel if that, slowly, imperceptibly, becomes them.

[Turniptwirl]

I speak as someone currently paying off about £8000 of credit card, overdraft and payday loans debts.

I stuck my head in the sand until it all got tooth and then sorted it out on my own via a debt management company.

I'm not stupid. I knew exactly why I shouldn't be doing what I did with money. I can tell you exactly why pay day loans are evil and could have before I took them out too. But I still did it

Debt is like anything else, you can't force someone to help themselves. As long as they don't owe you money leave them to it

[Turniptwirl]

Yabu, I still think you should leave them to it unless they come to you and ask for help (not politely tolerate you interfering)

I speak as s

[ImTooHecsyForYourParty]

I'm confused.

If they want your help and input and they dont see it as interfering, why are you asking for ways to convince them to pay off their debt.

Convincing someone to do something implies they don't want to. And asking for ways to apply emotional pressure does too.

They don't have to do what you think they ought to, but if they've invited your emotional pressure and convincing then you could do a budget with them, go to the cab with them, do one of those online interest calculators with them, phone debt advice people, etc.

[Still18atheart]

It depends what sort of debt it is!

I.e is it a mortgage or student loan debt in which case yabu

or is it a high interest loan or owing money to a loan shark type thing then yanbu

Do they owe you any money

[mameulah]

Thanks everyone.

Just to clarify I am not asking for advice about whether or not it is my business or not.

And it is not my son or daughter.

I am confident and comfortable that the person I am talking about is happy for me to interfere. And in fact does not find my involvement interfering.

I am frustrated, and find it unreasonable, that I cannot clarify why debt is so expensive and should be prioritised above and beyond other expenses. IMO. And, if I was able to share more of this persons business over the internet I would. But that, imo would be unreasonable.

Anymore practical ideas that show the expense of debt would be appreciated.

tia

[runningonwillpower]

Sorry mameulah but if this is your daughter or son, why didn't you say so?

It does kind of change the dynamics. But even so, I stand by my original advice. He or she will have to work it out himself. Anything else is just a plaster over the real problem which is his/her financial irresponsibility.

[mameulah]

Thanks LittlePrincess that is exactly the kind of idea I was looking for.

[LittleprincessinGOLDrocks]

OhDearNigel - as a rule I wouldn't interfere, and as yet have not. However I think it does depend on the circumstances. OP doesn't say who this family member is. If it was her child, for example, I could see why she might want to interfere to save them from potential issues (bailiffs, CCJ's etc) when they could be avoided. I think then it would only be natural.
But the person being offered the advice is well within their rights to ignore.

[EvieanneVolvic]

Nigel is correct: unless the close family member is your DP.