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How Can I Become Debt
Free?
by: Stuart Simpson
1. You must change. You have to change your
spending habits and spend less than you make no matter what. Its
good for everyone. Especially if you are in debt. I know it’s hard
to do with our current lifestyle of keeping up, but when you are
debt free, it’ll be much easier.
2. Cash only. You have to go to a full time cash
only basis. What cash you have to spend is all the cash you have.
Once its gone, it’s gone. You have to spend correctly. Don’t spend
it all before your next payday.
3. Document. You have to document your spending
to see what you are buying. This will help you see if you still have
a problem and where the money is going. This will allow you to
control your spending if you see all of your monthly spending in one
place.
4. Attack Debt. Pay off credit card debt first.
The highest interest rate must go! Pay them off and then work
towards assets that appreciate in value – like your house. Pay it
off last.
5. Lower your interest rate. I called the credit
card company to tell them I was going to cancel their card as I
consolidated and paid off my other cards. To my surprise, they
offered to drop the interest lower than all my other cards so I put
all those higher rate cards on this lower rate card. They did that
just for the asking and now I’m paying less interest and more
towards the principal! Go team!
6. Plan. You have to have a plan and may need to
create a payment plan. There are tons of software out there to look
at and use, but don’t hide behind the software on trying to find a
debt free solution. Plan on paper if you have to. Just do it.
7. Stay the course. Don’t waiver. Spending less
and paying off bills is a drag, but it will get better soon and you
have to stay strong to make your life even better. Keep your goals.
Write it down. Check your progress. You can become debt free!
Sometimes debt can become overwhelming and even
scary at times. If you spend too much, you must make changes before
it gets out of hand. You can get out of this pit of debt and become
debt free and have even more buying power.
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