First of all, figure out your budget. How much is each payment? List the debts in order from smallest to largest. Make payments to each, EVERY month. List the following information:
Do this for each bill.
By paying the bills in this way, when one is paid off, you can make progress very quickly on the list of bills, without changing your budget/spending. It's very easy when a bill is paid off, to simply incorporate that money into the spending. By exercising discipline in paying the bills off in this way, when you get all the bills paid off, you can now put the money into savings, which was previously spent on these "one-time bills!
I hope this system of bill paying helps others who are struggling with finances! I have found that most people are good about working with a person if they receive regular payments. This way, everyone gets a little something, and the top bill on the list gets the most. By the time you get to the bottom of the list, you can make a hefty payment instead of the $25 (or whatever) you previously were able to make! Good luck!
Source: Another single mom struggling to make ends meet!
By Bzladi from Storm Lake, IA
It is also important to avoid creating more debt, whether it is charging more on your credit cards or taking out loans. This will allow you to focus on paying off what you have. You don't want to stretch yourself so thin that you can't make your payments.
As with anything, this takes time, and as a result, takes patience.
I would also add that you must begin to live more frugally, learn to tell a want from a need, and enjoy the contentment that can come from being in control of your finances instead of them controlling you.
Fab4mom
I am 31 years old and own my home (owe nothing), I drive an older car that I saved money for and paid cash. I only have to pay monthly living expense bills. Due to this when I lost my job the beginning of this year we were able to survive on my husbands income.
Our rule of thumb is if we can't pay for it now we don't have to have it. If we really want it then we save for it. My husband just built a garage this summer that we paid for with money that he has saved for the past 5 years. It would have been nice to have the garage 5 years ago but we survived with out it.
By DPCW
By Carol
The secret is, whatever money you get back, you add to any other "found money" (like the amount you have saved by reducing other services) and you apply this money to your debt. Another huge difference for me was sending an additional payment as soon as I received "found money" instead of waiting to send it when the bill was due. Your credit card company or other people you owe money to will be happy to accept a payment at mid-billing-cycle, call and get instructions, and be sure to put your account number on the check. That way, you won't be tempted to spend the money on anything less important than getting out of debt. YOU CAN DO IT!!!!
By Becki in Indiana
Then use your red pen to mark the unnecessary expenditures. Entertainment and convenience foods are big ones. These expenditures can be cut, and the money used towards paying off debt.
Figure out what you owe, and how much "extra" in fees you are paying everyone. Pay off the highest interest/lowest bills first. Hospital and college loans usually can wait the longest, don't put those on credit if you can make a deal. Pay minimum payments on all but one bill and put *everything you can* into that one bill. Once its paid off, do the same with the next card. If you have Discover or another card with good rewards, use it for groceries, pay it off completely each month, and use the rewards to pay extra bills or to buy essentials.
The important thing is to cut your spending so you can pay off bills ASAP.
When my husband and I decided to go on a Debt Crash Diet in 2006 we gave ourselves three months to plan. During those months, we eased our kids into the changes that would affect them the most.
We also took a good hard look at our spending habits. We kept a record of our spending and our earnings. You'll find that this is one of the most important steps you can take. Once you have concrete information about how you spend your money, you'll be able to define Extreme Frugality for your family.
We will live on $28,800 in 2006, $14,700 of which is rent. (We considered renting an apartment for year but decided, with the Las Vegas housing market in such turmoil, to stay where we are. Our rent is moderate for our city.)
During the three months prior to the start of our Year of Extreme Frugality, we also got our food budget under control and built up a good stockpile of staples. During our Debt Crash Diet we will cut the $1000 we normally spend on food and consumables (including restaurant meals) by three quarters down to $300. It was nice to have three months to ease into that.
The most important thing you can do during this planning period is dream. Dream big, and out loud. Do it in front of your kids, and you might have an easier time getting them on board. Put together a Debt Crash Diet scrap book filled with your ideas of what a debt-free, job-optional life would look like to you.
To bring in more money, we can earn more per hour, work more hours, or sell something. We plan on utilizing all three strategies during the next year.
For three years I was a paralegal with a home-based business preparing divorces and bankruptcies for my clients. I found the work depressing, so last year I started a different business, an online vintage clothing store. As much as I love my store, I can earn at least twice as much money per hour as a paralegal, so I've hung my shingle back out again. I can do anything for a year, right?
Kevin already works at a fairly high-paying casino on the Las Vegas strip. There are a small handful of very-high-paying and hard-to-get-into casinos in Las Vegas, and he will apply for work at this year. In the meantime he's taken a part-time second job.
We will also be selling my vintage clothing stock and a collection of memorabilia that is a throw-back to Kevin's bachelor days. By using these strategies, we'll be able to raise our income from $45,000 to about $60,000 in 2006.
I get a lot of email from people who want to get out of debt quickly, but don't want to do what they have to do to raise their income. While it is certainly possible to get out of debt on whatever your current income is, you probably won't be able to do it very quickly.
Get in the habit of reminding yourself that you can do anything for a year. When the year is over, your life will go back to normal. Except that you'll be debt free and have substantial savings, so suddenly even your one job is now optional.
Do you have to work a job that doesn't fit your life because you can't afford to quit? It boils down to one thing; you work the job for the paycheck. You need the paycheck because you have debt.
I have a solution. Go on a crash diet. I'm not talking about giving up food so that you won't need to work as many hours. Go on a debt crash diet. Are you serious about being a full-time writer (or something else)? I have a plan that could bring you one giant step toward that goal.
A debt crash diet is simply a year of very intense thrift, during which time debt is eliminated and savings are built. Let me put my money where my mouth is, and tell you that my family is going on a debt crash diet in 2006.
A debt crash diet will take fifteen months; three for planning, followed by that year of intense thrift.
Will it be easy? I really doubt it. We're cutting our food bill by 2/3 and putting off replacing our twelve-year-old minivan. For one year, we are giving up movies, eating out, gym memberships and cable TV. Our goal is to pay off nearly $20,000 in debt, and to save $12,000 in one year.
I'd like to ask you to stop for a moment and ask yourself what being completely out of debt and having a four-month supply of money would mean to you. Could you stand to live a work-optional life? I thought so.
I can't promise that a debt crash diet will make your full-time writing dreams come true. I can promise that when you're through, you will be working to pay for today, instead of yesterday with interest. You will have gained some valuable insight into which material needs are most important to you, and which you can give up for good.
By pamphyila from Los Angeles
By Michael McIntosh from Greenwich, CT
When I prepared bankruptcies for a living, I was constantly surprised at the amount of money people throw at their cars. My clients were sitting in my living room discussing their impending bankruptcies. And for many, their biggest concern was holding on to their $600 a month SUV.
Occasionally, if a client seemed interested, I would mention that our entire ugly, elderly mini-van cost $600. This statement was universally met with blank stares, followed by an awkward silence.
The fact that I was dealing daily with people who would file bankruptcy before driving an old car is one reason why I stopped doing it.
Kevin will be working a full-time and a part-time job away from home during our Year of Extreme Frugality. I'm very aware of the sacrifice he's making, especially considering the amount of time he will miss with our baby daughter, Ruby.
I consider it my job to make sure that every penny we earn is well spent. We will be living on less than half of what we earn. That's a big change for a family that has been living on every penny we earn, plus some that we borrow from credit card companies.
If your goal is to live on one income when your debt crash diet is over, start doing that now and use the rest for debt repayment and savings. Sit down and figure out the very least that you can live on, and then vow to spend a year living on that much. Every other penny gets saved.
We were able to reduce our home phone, cell phone, cable television and internet services from nearly $500 a month to less than $200. We gave up cable all together. We're also giving up restaurants and movies in 2006.
What can you give up in the name of being debt-free and job-optional? Can you eek some extra money out of your food budget to use for paying down your car loan? Do you need high speed internet? Could you get by with one car for a year? Maybe move into an apartment until your debt is repaid?
By Shaunta Alburger
The average American credit card debt is over $5,100. While it may not seem like it, this balance is manageable. Within three years it can easily be paid off provided that new charges are not added to the debt. That's the most difficult part of the plan. Take this not-so-new and not-so-difficult plan of action towards eliminating your credit card debt.
Once you have established the habit of not using the credit cards, look at what you owe. Inventory all of the accounts, their balances, and their interest rates. Now, there are two ways to tackle this inventory.
With this plan all of the cards are moving towards the goal of debt free, but the most expensive one is moving at a faster rate. Whenever extra money comes your way from overtime, bonuses, or other incomes apply that extra money directly to your month's payment plus the extra $100 you intended to pay. When it gets frustrating, use that frustration to motivate yourself further. When you're debt free all of your money is yours. Keep in mind that the end is in sight in a few years.
Amazingly, the first credit cards were issued in 1950 and there were only 200 of them. That's a far cry from the 1 billion credit cards found in America today.
I cannot keep paying this credit card at 39%, what can I do?
By yoyojoe from Las Vegas, NV
By Anonymous
08/28/2009
Just came across this and it might have some helpful info for you:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/22/y ... r=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all
We have over $22,000.00 in credit card debt, 2 car payments and can't get rid of them for we owe more than they are worth, a house payment and heloc loan we got when we purchased our home for the down payment, medical bills, and the utility bills.
We have an 18 y/o senior without a car but she works a part time job which is not enough to save for a car, she has a 3.86 grade point average but has not qualified for a college scholarship which she needs desperately.
Bottom line is that we have way more bills than income and are sinking fast. I am married and mother of two. I hardly know them anymore for I work all I can.
The bills are all paid on time so far but I know without a miracle, we will sink . Does anyone out there have an answer that will give us some hope? Your help is much appreciated.
My husband is out of work on medical leave in which doctor will not release him to work at this time. He still has insurance from his job but has used up his disabilty money which has left him with no income but his company is still providing the medical insurance.
I am a nurse and work hard. We are not lazy people but I know we have made bad choices. Thank you in advance for some good advice and your prayers most of all.
ablssdmm
By TXBetty
10/09/2009
I have upmost respect for those who get out of credit card debt and learn their lesson; for the others I have no sympathy. For those who don't pay, the rest of us pay in the long run.
I hope someone can help me with my problem. I am deep into debt and I would like to know if someone could guide me with a very basic easy way to get myself out of this ordeal. I have tried everything that i could and still I fall back. I am going to start this week when i get paid to get this monkey off my back. Could suggest a very simple and basic budget or using the envelope method what ever it takes. I don't want any thing that is to complicated right now.
I am looking at about seven thousand in total debt that includes miscellaneous items and credit card debt. I also owe the IRS. What should i do first? I get paid bi-weekly total of 679.86 monthly. Also, I have a second job in retail so that check is not always the same, It goes by the hours I work. Help me please someone.
Malmal from Boston
Would it be better to get my credit repaired by going down the list to pay off collections, charge offs, and other delinquent debts when I get my taxes, or shall I seek a credit counseling service, or a debt consolidating company, or should I wait til these reduced percentage choice offers come through the mail box? Please help me because I am truly suffering, I cannot get a loan. I am constantly rejected.
By Crissie from Los Angeles
By Lorelei
12/30/2010
If any of the bills are medical or hospital, you can speak with the billing dept. or better yet drop in and take all your outstanding bills with you and they can help set up a monthly payment plan that's affordable and it helps in the long run. You're still paying them off, but it shows you really are caring and trying to pay them off in their time frame. In my case, I had 18 months and was able to pay it off sooner.
What are the main priorities in your stack of debt that really should be paid off first? Yes, high finance charges is one option to choose, but what if it is a need for another vehicle to be replaced in the very near future and to pay down the debt before trade in time is another option. OR, someone needs medical attention that no longer can be put off, perhaps getting those bills paid down will be more critical. Talk to your c.c. company(ies) and see if they'll bring down the interest if you agree to work on paying it off and not put to use in the meantime. You can have your own c.c. account frozen w/o the assistance of another party involved.
I don't really like to recommend refinancing large debts like homes, cars and such, but sometimes one feels the dire need to do so and that helps take the strain off the budgeting; however, it oftentimes does not stop the spending spree or puts the extra dollars to best use. Consider that before doing any refinancing.
When you get single dollars back from making change at store or gas station, etc, put them in a safe place and keep adding to it. Before you know it, you've enough money for an emergency or to help pay on a monthly bill. This really does work and a lot faster than coins. I got this idea from a professional money advisor in some magazine article and I surprised myself at seeing how many single dollars added up quickly after trying.
Keep a close check on everything you buy starting with one week; save all those register tapes to refer back and see where your money goes on what. You might decide where you can cut back even more. Write down amounts and what it was for if you do not have any register tapes like gas stations or such.
This gives you a visual aid to see where your money goes and on what.
If you do movie rentals, go to the local library where you can get them free with your library card. Look at your phone landline bill and see if you can cut back on charges that aren't necessary they bill you for monthly like the internal lines just in case it ever needs replaced. Use fluorescent light bulbs in your home as it's low energy. Look for ways you can save dollars and cents around the house. Close off any rooms you don't use to save on heating expense. Unplug a lot of appliances that aren't used all the time like a toaster, radio, etc. Current is still traveling through those lines even when not in use. There are lots of little things that can help cut daily expenses to bring down costs each month. Learning to teach one's self thrifty ways isn't easy as it's sacrificing and take practice, but it's not impossible either. Just get your mind set on a plan and follow through til you've reach your goal which is helping to get out of the debt burden. Good Luck to you.
Do I really need a credit card? I am a divorced mother of two and wanted to get rid of some debt. Does it make sense for me to have a credit card? I'm wanting to close my credit card and just put money into a savings account.
By Cheryl
By barbg7
10/31/2012
I would keep it. You never know when you might need a new fridge, stove or something that you just don't have the money for and they won't set it up on payments. You never know when an emergency will come up. Just don't use it otherwise.
If an emergency does come up and you use it, pay it off as soon as possible, preferably pay it in full when the credit card bill comes in. Always pay as much as you can on the credit card bill. Do not pay only what the monthly payment is.
How to become a debt free?
By Roager F
By frugalsunnie
05/27/2012
The best way to become debt free is to sit down and write out a budget. There are several sites (including this one) that have loads of free info on how to create one and many offer free template downloads.
But the basics are this-in one column write down all the bills you must pay each month (rent or mortgage, utilities, personal loan and credit card repayments, insurance, cable and internet, mobile phone, etc).
In the next column list what you spend on groceries, petrol, clothing.
In yet another column list what you spend on 'misc' items like books and magazines, theatre tickets and/or movie and video games, meals out, cigarettes, beer or other alcohol, and similar expenditures.
Be honest-if you splash out on a latte every day, write it down! If you spend a lot on groceries, make sure you write that down. Always round up to the nearest dollar to give yourself a bit of a cushion for price rises.
Total each column and then add the totals together to arrive at one sum to represent your total monthly outgo.
Now list your total monthly net (after taxes) income.
Compare the two totals.
Oh dear! You're spending far more per month than you are taking in!!
So go back to the outgo columns, figure out what you can eliminate and then do so. Stick to it.
It will take a while to pay down whatever debt you have, so stick to it. Double up on payments like mortgage and credit card or other personal debt-make sure to note on the doubled payments that the extra is to apply against the principal or the sorry creditors will apply it against interest only, and you'll still have that big principal to pay down. They love to do that because the higher the amount of the principal, the more interest they can charge you-it's a vicious and never ending cycle, and that's how they make their money, from interest!
It won't be easy but being debt free is the absolute best feeling ever.
My income is cut in half. My credit card bills are overdue. They are calling all the time and I don't have extra money to pay them. How do I start climbing out of this hole that I am in? I can't get a second job; I have tried! I can't even sell the family heirlooms. I am scared and worried! Any advice?
By Lynette from Ann Arbor
By netters
06/06/2010
Thank you all this has been very helpful! I have done many of the things that are suggested . But I am going to do more. I do believe in god and am praying a lot. Thank you all! God Bless!
I have a major problem. When I was in my late teens I moved out on my own and got approved for two credit cards. Of course not thinking ahead I maxed them both out and beyond that point. It is now several years later and my 23% interest rate credit cards still exist with a combined total of about $6,000.00.
I haven't used them in about two years now. I have a very strict budget and only can afford to pay about $10.00 over the minimum payment due. But with the interest rate being so high it doesn't seem to make a difference what I pay on them I can never get ahead.
I really want to pay this dept off! I want to buy a house so badly, but with my credit being so bad I feel like that is never going to happen. I have tried calling my credit card companies to lower the interest rate but they are not very helpful. What can I do? I need advice so badly, please help. Thank you.
Robin
A good starting point would be your bank or credit union. You could also ask your friends and family to keep their eyes & ears open for you for any similar offers they receive and then you could call the company and apply. Good Luck! If you stick with your budget, I know you'll have success. (02/19/2005)
By Debbie
By connie
By Karen.
By Michelle
Please call Genus Credit Management at 800-955-0412. Genus Credit Management is a not-for-profit credit counseling agency, offers free debt management and educational programs that help financially distressed families and individuals effectively manage their finances. Our clients are asked to make a contribution to AFS-Genus if they can afford to do so. All contributions are voluntary.
Website: http://www.genus.org/
If any company indicates a handling fee - DO NOT USE THEM. Genus Credit Management has been around for 20+ years - longer than 95% of the companies out there that say they can help you reduce your debt.
Trust me - I've been in banking for over 25 years, and I refer clients to this organization! Cindy (02/22/2005)
By lilithjune
Go to www.cheapskatemonthly.com or bankrate.com and use their calculators. Good luck. (05/29/2006)
By miarocks
By andy
By imaqt1962
These tips are for getting out of debt. I came across the snowball tip when listening to Dave Ramsey, so I can't take full credit. First of all, create a budget that allows for a reasonable standard of living or else you won't stick to it. Then, focus on paying off the debt with the smallest balance by paying every last extra cent you have toward it. Once that's paid off, focus on the next one with the lowest balance. You'll be able to apply the amount you were paying on the first bill in addition to what you normally were paying. Keep this up until everything (maybe even your house) is paid in full and don't accrue any more debt in the process.
By Michelle from Lompoc, CA
By Beth
By DEBTective
By Susan
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What are you tips for paying off credit card debt? Please post them below.
By okstamper
Also, when you do use your credit card, if it's not a purchase you can pay off in one billing cycle. Set up a personal plan to pay it off as soon as possible. Budget, budget and budget. (02/26/2008)
By Tigger1971
Write down the balance you owe on each credit card, next to that write down the minimum payment the credit card company wants you to pay each month. Then divide the balance by the minimum payment and write this next to the minimum payment. Pay off the lower number first with whatever you can afford AND continue making the minimum payment(s) on the other credit cards. When the 1st card is paid off move to the next card and pay the minimum amount PLUS the payment you've made on the 1st card. Do this on all the credit cards until they are paid off. AND DO NOT charge anything unless it's truly an emergency. (02/26/2008)
By Steve
Look at the way cosmetics and jewelry items are displayed in a department store. They are very carefully lighted, and placed in display cases that you have to walk completely around to get to the other side of the store. Or analyze the marketing that goes into something as mundane as a vacuum cleaner or tube of toothpaste. Really LOOK at the ad - what is the message behind it? That if you buy this product you will be a better person? That your spouse will love you more if you buy this or that thing? How can a vacuum cleaner or toothpaste do that?
The background music in stores is selected for the customers they are trying to reach. Now they're experimenting with smells too. Or even the tool sections at Sears, Home Depot, Lowe's, etc. - look at the lighting and bright colors, all designed to make you want this or that product. EVERYTHING in that store is designed and intended to separate you from your money. If you walk into a store knowing that, you are forearmed. (02/26/2008)
By Walt816
By peseta
So, we transferred all our debt to our other card that offered us 0% interest for 6 months. Beware of these, they do charge fees to transfer, but sometimes the fee is a savings over the many months of interest charges. We used a card we have had for many years and it has worked for us to do this.
Then, we locked our credit cards in our safe so they wouldn't be a temptation in our wallets. We haven't used them since. This is key! Don't charge ANYTHING else or you'll never get out of the debt hole.
I also found a part-time online job and ALL of the money I make from that is going to the debt. We made a schedule of how much we are paying off each month, and it shows how long it will take to get down to zero $. Seeing that schedule keeps us motivated! We want to see that $0 balance!
With all of those things combined, we are making a HUGE dent in the debt! It feels great! (02/26/2008)
By CiCi
By Lucille
By paula
I also save all my change and deposit it into a bank account so I have an emergency fund for those unforeseeable circumstances, and so we're not tempted to charge more. We also do odd jobs for some elderly neighbors (mow lawns, rake leaves, take their trash out, make minor home repairs, etc) and stash all that money in our emergency fund. A few dollars here and there add up fast. These simple measures have really helped keep us out of debt. (02/27/2008)
By susanmajp
By ERP
By Pennypacer
My husband and I just started his teachings and so far we have paid off 3 credit cards and are working on one more loan. It is a new way of thinking for my husband but it is working. Not only does Dave teach you how to pay off debt, but how to stay debt free and learn to save and invest. I highly recommend it. (02/27/2008)
By Guest from Michigan
By laramay
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Getting Out of Debt