A 7-Point Straightforward Plan for Getting Out of Debt

Debt might be good in some instances; however, when not properly managed; debt can be a very serious encumbrance on your odds of attaining financial freedom. When the summation of your debt payments each month is higher than your monthly income, your financial situation might look bleak and hopeless.

Unfortunately, many folks who have a massive debt burden from unpaid bills, payday loans, and credit card debts often throw in the towel to file for bankruptcy. The problem however is that filing bankruptcy is not always the best solution and some folks never recover financially once they take the bankruptcy escape. If you are willing to try one last time; below is a straightforward 7-point plan that can get you out of debt and get your finances back on track.

Stop the denial and seek help

The first step is to accept the stark reality that you have a huge financial problem and that you won’t be able to fix this problem without some help. You may want to sign up for credit counselling so that you can understand the root cause of your financial misfortune and learn how you can proactively avoid getting into a deeper rut.

Debt consolidation is another great solution that could reduce the weight of your financial debt by combining multiple debts into a single loan and extending the term. You’ll also need open up to your family and friends so that you can access support – they won’t invite you to potentially expensive hangouts and they might be able to lend you money at little to no interest.

Start paying off high-interest debts

The second step is to start paying off your high-interest debts such as payday loans and credit card debts. Paying off your high interest debt will free up money that you can use to pay down the principal on other kinds of debt. For instance, if you owe $5000 in credit card debt at 28.99% and you owe a credit union another $5000 at 12% interest, paying off the credit card debt first will free up the $120.79 monthly interest that you would have been paying on the credit card debt. You can then apply the $120.79 and any other money you make to reducing your debt to the credit union.

Stop using your credit card

The third step is somewhat similar to the second step on the plan in that you need to stop using credit cards until you’ve paid off your debts. Credit card debt is high-interest debt, the fact that you were contemplating bankruptcy suggests that you have less than excellent credit and you’ll be attracting high interest rate debts. While trying to get your finances in order, avoid charging new expenses to your credit cards – if you can buy stuff in cash or with your debit card, you need to take the time to ask if it is a need or want (that you might probably postpone).

Adopt a frugal lifestyle

The fourth step is to start living frugally as part of efforts to reduce your expenses and to have more money left over to pay off your debts faster. The art of being frugal includes cooking simple meals instead of going to restaurants or diners to eat. Making your own coffee sounds cliché but it is still cheaper than Starbucks. Instead of paying money to attend concerts, use social media hashtags to find free entertainment events near you.

You only need a car to take you from point A to point B, if your auto payments are killing you, “downgrade” to a smaller model. Public transportation is pretty decent in most cities, you don’t always need an Uber – carpooling is another smart option.

Begin to repay loans to family and friends

Lastly, you need to take proactive actions to keep your relationships with family and friends cordial – money matters can make a relationship go sour twice as fast. If you have borrowed money from family and friends when your finances went downhill, this is the part where you start paying back those debts. You should also try to pay back those loans with a little interest payment even if your lenders have not asked you for interest payments. Not everything can be quantified in financial terms but a friend (or family member) that lends you money is worth their weight in gold.