How to help clients manage their debt

03/13/2023 — Key takeaways:

• Managing debt can be a common, yet daunting problem for many Americans. As a financial professional, one of the most important things you can do for your clients is to help them manage their debt effectively and work toward building financial security.
• By conducting a thorough debt analysis, helping clients develop a realistic budget, and offering ongoing support and guidance, financial advisors can help clients manage their debt effectively and achieve their long-term financial goals

As a financial professional, one of the most important things you can do for your clients is to help them manage their debt. According to New York Fed’s quarterly Household Debt and Credit Survey (HHDC), the total consumer debt reached $16.5 trillion in the second quarter of 2022, which is significantly higher than the second quarter of 2019 at $13.86 trillion.¹ Debt can feel like an overwhelming obstacle for many people, and it can be difficult to manage alone. By taking a holistic approach to financial planning, you can help your clients manage their debt effectively and work toward building financial security.

Here are three things financial professionals can do to help their clients deal with debt management:

1. Conduct a thorough debt analysis

The first step in helping clients manage their debt is to conduct a thorough analysis of their existing debt. This includes looking at all outstanding loans, credit card balances, and other forms of debt, as well as assessing the interest rates, minimum payments, and repayment schedules for each debt. With this information, you can help your clients develop a comprehensive debt management plan that addresses their most pressing debt issues and prioritizes debt repayment based on interest rates and other factors. Typically, this will look like prioritizing high interest-rate debts but can vary based on the client.

In addition to analyzing existing debt, it may also be helpful to explore opportunities for debt consolidation or refinancing. Consolidating multiple debts into a single loan can simplify the repayment process and potentially lower interest rates, while refinancing high-interest loans can help clients save money over the long term.

2. Help clients develop a realistic budget

Effective debt management requires more than just paying down outstanding balances—it also requires clients to develop healthy financial habits that can help them avoid future debt issues. As a financial advisor, you can help clients develop a realistic budget that considers their income, expenses, and debt repayment obligations.

This budget should prioritize essential expenses such as housing, food, and healthcare while also setting aside funds for debt repayment and savings. By helping clients create a budget that is both realistic and achievable, you can help them develop the financial discipline needed to manage their debt effectively over the long term.

Additionally, helping your client create habits to achieve their goals can set your clients on a path to financial security.

3. Offer ongoing support and guidance

Finally, it’s important to offer ongoing support and guidance to clients as they work to manage their debt. This may include regular check-ins to assess progress on debt repayment, offering advice on budgeting and financial planning, and helping clients adjust their debt management plan as needed.

In addition to regular check-ins, it may also be helpful to offer educational resources and tools to help clients better understand debt management and financial planning. This might include access to online financial calculators, educational videos, or in-person workshops on topics such as budgeting, investing, and retirement planning.

In conclusion, managing debt is an essential part of any comprehensive financial plan, and financial professionals play a critical role in helping clients navigate this process. By conducting a thorough debt analysis, helping clients develop a realistic budget, and offering ongoing support and guidance, financial advisors can help clients manage their debt effectively and help achieve their long-term financial goals.