6 Steps to Ditching Your Debt
by | Dec 27, 2018
Let’s face it — debt sucks! Keeping up with the payments means less cash to do what you really want. And, the interest makes the burden grow, often faster than your payments reduce the balance due. With a solid plan and a lot of determination, you can ditch your debt and get back to having more fun.
Not sure where to start? Here are Charlie’s 6 steps to ditching your debt:
Stop the Bleeding
Unless it’s completely unavoidable (like that student loan for next semester), don’t take on any more debt. Avoid new credit cards, lock up/cut up the ones that you have, and consider freezing your credit. It’s important to take control.
Assess the Damage
Now, it’s time to see what you’re up against. Make a list of all of your debts to include who you owe, how much you owe, the minimum monthly payment, and the interest rate. Then, brace yourself and determine the grand total. (It’s OK to have a glass of wine, a chocolate cake, or a bubble bath after this step!)
Choose Your Strategy
There are two main ways to tackle debt: the snowball method or the avalanchemethod. With the snowball method, you pay your debts off from smallest to largest amount owed. This is great for momentum building — you’ll feel like you’re #winning pretty quickly. With the avalanche method, you pay off your debts from highest to lowest interest rate. Ultimately, the math works out in your favor here because you’ll pay less in interest overall. If you’re paying off debt, ignore any haters, because it’s a victory regardless of how you do it!
Tighten Your Purse Strings
Trimming your budget may be painful at first, but crushing your debt will feel amazing. There are some easy places to cut spending first: eating out, shopping, travel, entertainment, etc. If there are things you can’t cut completely, find hacks to spend less. Use gift cards, skip the expensive cocktail at dinner, or shop thrift stores. If you can’t cut these categories any further, consider going more extreme. Get a roommate, sell your car, or move back home. These strategies are hard, and may not be possible for you (or you’re already doing them!), but every dollar helps.
Hustle for Extra Cash
In addition to cutting your spending, try earning some extra money specifically to go toward your debt. Look for side gigs, sell your stuff, or offer freelance services.
Track Your Progress
Ditching your debt is hard work. It takes commitment and willpower. This process could take a long time, so it’s important to track how far you’ve come to keep your motivation level high. Be sure to reward yourself (in a budget-friendly way!) as each account balance hits zero.
Remember: You’re not in this alone. Charlie can help. Just tell him ‘pay off debt’ and he’ll guide you.
Share with Charlie: What’s your favorite debt pay off story? Do you have any tips for the community?
(This article was originally posted on hicharlie.com and reposted with the permission of hicharlie and the author.)
