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Sunday, March 1, 2009

Debt Elimination - Good Medicine, No Aftertaste

By John Brennan

Getting into debt is usually a gradual process. We purchase a few things on credit fully intending to pay it back very soon. But buying on credit is so very easy so we buy more things before paying off the first things. Later on, often sooner than expected we find ourselves under a mountain of debt and life has become a little more stressful a little less fun.

Debt is money owed we can't pay back right away or payments that are running us even deeper into the ground. We've in a sense turned into a society that has gotten used to living on credit, which has put us in a mess. The first step has to do with attitude. Pay cash as you go. Not easy and maybe impossible to do in one big step but you've got to start trying. A very workable approach is just to start getting creative as to what you can do to save a bit here or a bit there.

Starting out with the right attitude isn't going to make your debt go away right away. First things first and that is to start spending smartly and spending less. Your first goal should be to avoid going any deeper into debt. Once things are starting to level out you can focus on reducing the debt you have.

To actually keep expenses down and start reducing your debt you want to start living on a budget. Budget is a dreaded word for most of us. We equate it with a Spartan existence, bland diet, no more toys and the like. Your budget however represents your plan of action. Laying out your budget is not the easiest thing to do, be prepared to struggle at first and it may take a month or two before you actually find a plan that works, a budget that fits. Make a list of what you're paying out for bills, food, clothing and entertainment. Then start prioritizing and assigning dollars to each category.

Once you have spending under control start paying off outstanding loans. Think of a loan as something you bought or did a long time ago and are still paying for. Was it worth it, and do you want to keep on that path? When you think about it you'll probably come to the conclusion that paying up front is much more satisfying. you don't get the bad aftertaste.

Either approach will eventually lead to a snowball effect. The more loans you pay off the more you have available to pay off the remaining loans. Don't start trying to save until you're well on your way. Keep your first priority getting out of debt. You'll also learn a good life's lesson. Living without debt is very satisfying indeed. And living within your means isn't nearly as bad as you were afraid it was going to be.

When you've finally gotten out of debt you may want to throw a big party to celebrate. That's OK, you deserve it. Just don't borrow to pay for the party! Now is the time to live like you've just learned to, modestly, within your means, and debt free. Now it's time to start saving and investing in your future.

The savings you "pay" yourself will be useful in the future when you are ready to make large purchases. Instead of financing a new car at 8%, you can stay out of debt and maybe get a discount by paying cash, or you could make a large down payment on a home or send a child to college. The sky is the limit!

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