Debt. Many say it is the way Americans live in this day and age. Some often feel as if they will always be in debt so why try to get out. They think car payments and credit cards are a way of life and that you will always have them.
This could not be further from the truth. Being in debt is allowing creditors to control your finances instead of yourself. Being debt free is freeing and there are ways to be free from the shackles of debt.
A great way to get out of debt is known as a debt snowball. You may be thinking, “Yes, I have heard of the debt snowball, but does that really work?” The answer is yes. By using the debt snowball technique, you can become debt free.
Here is how to start a debt snowball. First, list all of your debt except for your house. List your debt in order from highest amount to lowest amount. Do not take into consideration the interest rates.
It is important to do this in order of high to low. You will also need to create a budget for the month. At the beginning of the month, sit down and write every expense. This is taking into account every money transaction made for the month. If there are birthdays in that month, budget for them. If you know you will eat out more, put it in the budget.
Once you have every dollar accounted for that month, then all of the extra money needs to go on the lowest debt. The main reason for doing your debt snowball by the smallest amount first, is that it becomes addicting. Once you pay off that first debt, you will be unstoppable.
By putting every extra dollar each month on the smallest debt, it will be paid off in no time. Once you have that one paid off, you put all of the money that you were paying to the smallest debt on the next one in line until you are debt free. Wouldn’t it feel great to be able to scream at the top of your lungs that you are free to debt? Free of creditors? Free from monthly payments and interest?
Another good idea while working on your debt snowball is to sell items. Do you really need the china that has been sitting in your cabinet for your entire marriage still in the box? Sell anything and everything you do not use and you will find yourself getting those debts paid off faster. The debt snowball will have nothing on you.
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