Many people believe that debt free living is impossible, but that’s not true! There are plenty of ways to live debt free, or at least close to debt free. In this guide, you’ll learn all about the best ways to manage your money so you can have a bright financial future.
Key factors to consider include your credit card balance, your debt-to-income ratio, and your overall financial goals. With a little bit of planning, anyone can become debt free. And once you’re debt free, you’ll be amazed at how much better you feel–mentally and physically. So what are you waiting for? Start your journey to a debt free life today!
Key Factors:
- 55% of people in the U.S. carry over credit debt from month to month
- How much debt you carry can depend on when you were born – Millenials are quite risk-averse
- Carrying debt can bring stress, credit problems and relationship issues
Debt Free Living Guide
Debt free living is something that many Americans dream of but very few think is actually possible. If you’re one of the people who carryover their credit card balance from one month to the next, you’re not alone – 55% of Americans do it.
For most of us, being in debt has become a way of life – debt being mortgage, car loan, student loans, credit cards, etc. But over 50% of Americans have said that they want to make becoming debt free a goal and priority. And they should!
Go Debt Free For Your Quality of Life
Becoming debt free is excellent for your mood and outlook on life. Studies show that the decade you were born in can affect your feelings about being in debt. Millennials tend to be more risk-averse so much so that 11% never carry any kind of debt. But regardless of when you were born, paying off your debts will undoubtedly improve your quality of life. So how do you go about becoming debt free? Check out our tips below!
Tips for Debt-Free Living
1. Make a budget and follow it
This may seem like an obvious first step but it’s important to get an idea of where all your money is going each month. Track your spending for two or three months so you can get an accurate picture of where you can cut back. Once you have a budget, make sure you stick to it! Discipline is key when it comes to managing your finances.
2. Live below your means:
This ties in with making a budget but it’s worth reiterating. Just because you can afford that new car or designer handbag doesn’t mean you should buy it. If you want to become debt free, you need to be willing to make sacrifices and change your spending habits.
3. Pay Off Your Debts as Quickly as Possible:
This is easier said than done but it’s important to focus on paying off your debts as quickly as possible. Start by making a list of all your debts from smallest to largest and focus on paying off the smaller ones first.
Once those are paid off, put all the money you were putting towards those payments towards the next debt on the list and so on. You’ll be surprised how quickly this strategy can help you become debt free!
4. Save, save, save:
Another important part of becoming debt free is having a solid savings plan in place. Avoid These 5 Things When Saving Cash. You should aim to have at least 3-6 months’ worth of living expenses saved so that if anything unexpected comes up (ejob loss, medical emergency, etc.), you’re prepared financially.
Putting away money each month will also help ease any anxiety you have about money which will only make becoming debt free that much easier!
5. Get help if needed:
If you find yourself struggling to get out of debt, there is no shame in seeking professional help. A financial advisor can help develop a budget and provide guidance on how to best use your money to pay off debts quickly. There are also many non-profit organizations that offer free or low-cost credit counseling services – don’t be afraid to reach out for help if you need it!
Debt free living is possible but it takes some planning and effort and it’s definitely worth it in the end! Following the tips above can help you achieve your goals of becoming debt free .
What are YOU waiting for? Start working towards YOUR goal today!
Debt Free Living Resources
There are many options available to help you achieve debt free living such as payday loans, credit counseling, and budgeting apps. You can also find helpful tips and tricks from personal finance bloggers or by reading books on the subject. Whatever route you decide to take, know that becoming debt free is definitely possible even if you’re in Illinois, Indiana, California or Florida.
So, is Debt Free Living Possible?
Being in debt has become the norm for most people in the U.S. The debt can include one loan like a student loan or multiple loans including mortgages, car loan, student loans, credit cards, etc. But more than half of Americans have said that becoming debt free could become their top thing to attain. So how do you become debt free? You can learn how in this guide so you’ll have the best financial future possible. Start by making a budget and sticking to it.
Then, work on paying off your debts one by one starting with the smallest balance first. You can also try methods like the Debt Snowball or Debt Avalanche to pay off your debts faster. And finally, avoid taking on any new debt. Living debt free or near to debt free is possible and can lift a major weight off your shoulders – give it a try!
Bottom Line:
Limiting or eliminating debt all together can improve your quality of life by reducing stress and feeling like you have more options. Follow the tips in this guide and you could be living debt-free before you know it!
