Debt can be all-consuming, but it doesn’t need to be. While it is easy to fall into and much harder to get out of, becoming debt-free is not unattainable! Millions of people have done it; but it will take dedication and the ability to see the bigger picture, beyond a sea of minimum payments.
With all of this in mind, debt-free living requires a plan. It is not an overnight decision, but a collection of weeks, months, sometimes years of choosing to eliminate debt.
We suggest beginning by listing out your debts. Putting pen to paper will allow you to see exactly what you are dealing with, and how you can start eliminating payments. Once you can visualize exactly what you’re working with, the next steps will seem easier to take on.
One of the most popular strategies? Target one debt and get to work. You can choose the debt with the highest interest rate, or the one with the smallest balance. Monetarily, you’ll save more by paying higher interest rates, but motivationally, you might find it more exciting to pay off your smaller debts first.
Maybe you’re too stuck in “minimum-payment world” to even attempt paying off an entire debt. Baby steps! Every month, work on paying a little more than the minimum payment. Paying the minimum every month will keep you in debt for a very long time, and you don’t want that. Pay a little bit more each month, helping your overall balance, and how much you’ll have to pay in interest.
Want something completely different? Before we introduce this strategy, you must know that it can definitely be dangerous for those with debt issues to open new credit cards. However, the balance transfer strategy can be extremely effective if executed carefully. If you’re dealing with high-interest credit card debt, but you’re certain you can pay it off in a few months, consider moving the debt to a card with a zero-interest balance transfer. This definitely requires an attentive eye, because if you forget to pay off the debt before the balance transfer expires, you’ll find yourself in more debt than before. If carefully navigated, the 0% interest can be beneficial, but if it’s at a risk of finding yourself in more debt, it may not be worth it for you.
However, even after all of these tips and tricks, your debt may be too large to conquer on your own. If you’re finding yourself completely overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help! There are plenty of people who have been in your place, and plenty of people who have found their way out.
No matter whether you decide to save money where you can, or develop an entirely new budget to keep yourself in line with a debt-free life, the most important part is deciding to start. The hardest part of the entire process can be making the first step, and deciding to get yourself out of debt. However, once you’ve acknowledged that a change must be made, you can begin to take steps towards getting yourself out of debt. It may require some outside help, you might slip up a few times, but consistency and dedication is the best way to see change occur in your financial situation.
If we at Kemp Harvest Financial Group can help you in any way with regard to your financial planning needs, please feel free to contact us.
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