Figuring out how to get out of debt is one of the most freeing things any person can do with their finances. The problem is that so many people do not see how to make that happen.
According to a 2015 Nerdwallet study on American debt, the average American household was more than $130,000 in the hole last year. Amazingly, $15,762 of that amount was comprised of credit card debt – the worst kind of debt anyone can have.
Of course, other types of debt can hurt our finances, too. Collectively, Americans owed $1.06 trillion on auto loans, $1.23 trillion in student loans, and $8.25 trillion on mortgages in 2015. While some of this debt was planned for and is still considered “good debt,” it still takes a toll on our finances – and our lives.
But, how did it get this way?
Sadly, we are programmed to take on and accept debt from the moment we are born. Starting from childhood, we are tempted with a barrage of television ads for cars, boats, and luxury items we can easily finance through any number financial products and loans.
“Twelve months – same as cash” is a phrase we all heard repeatedly growing up. Can’t afford something? Hey, that’s okay. Just keep up with your loan and you’ll be fine.
Visit a car dealership and the first question you’re asked is how much you can afford to pay each month – not what you can afford to pay over all. And the same is true nearly anything you can buy – from clothing to furniture. Can’t afford it today? Just open a store credit card and you can pay it off later, they’ll say.
Want to go to college? Just sign on the dotted line and you can borrow the money you need. You might have to pay it back for ten, twenty, or even thirty years, but it will all be worth it, right?
How to Get Out of Debt
If you’re struggling to make ends meet or hoping for a life with less stress and worry, you need to learn how to see debt in a brand new way. Instead of seeing debt and credit cards as the easiest way to afford what you want, you should start seeing debt for what it really is – a curse that stands between you and your lifelong goals.
There are numerous ways to get out of debt, and not everyone needs to choose the same path. For some people, a slow and steady pace will work just fine. But for others, the desire to get out of debt is so great that they will do anything to speed the process along.
The very first step anyone should take is to sit down with all of their bills and banks statements in order to figure out how much they owe, and to whom. Sometimes taking a comprehensive look at all of your debts is the easiest way to figure out where you should start. And regardless, no matter what, the first step out is debt is coming to grips with exactly how much money you owe. You may not like what you see, but you’ll have to deal with it either way.
Once you have confronted your debts, there are several strategies you can use to dig yourself out:
Try the debt-snowball method.
The debt snowball method for debt repayment is often touted as the best and most efficient way to become debt-free. If you choose this option, you’ll start the process by listing all of your debts in order from the smallest balance to the largest. Once your list is ready, you’ll create a budget that accounts for making minimum payments on all of your debts except for the smallest one. When it comes to your smallest loan balance, you’ll pay everything you can towards it until it’s gone.
As each small balance is paid off, you’ll move down the list, throwing all of your extra funds at the smallest balance and making minimum payments on the rest. Over time, your small balances will be wiped off the face of the Earth, leaving only your largest balances behind. Without forced payments on your small balances, however, you’ll be able to snowball your payments towards your remaining, larger loans and get rid of them at a much faster pace.
The biggest benefit of the debt snowball method is that you’ll get a lot of “small wins” early, and reduce the number of monthly payments you’re making at a much faster pace.
Take on the debt avalanche.
The debt avalanche works similarly to the debt snowball, but takes a slightly different approach. Instead of prioritizing your smallest balances first, you’ll list your loans and balances by their respective interest rates instead.
Each month, you’ll pay as much as you can towards your highest interest debt while making minimum payments on everything else. Over time, your high interest debts will be paid off, leaving only low interest debts. Month by month, you’ll continue attacking all of your balances until they are gone – and gone for good.
While you may pay on some loans longer with this method, paying off high interest debts first (instead of your smallest balances) will save you more money in the long run.
Pay off debt faster with a 0% APR credit card.
It can be difficult to accept the fact that a credit card might be the solution to credit card debt, but hear me out.
In reality, certain types of credit cards, 0% APR and balance transfer credit cards, offer introductory offers that can help you save money and get out of debt.
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With balance transfer credit cards, you’ll get 0% APR for anywhere from 12 – 21 months. If you transfer several or all of your high interest balances over – then use your introductory period to absolutely destroy your debts – you’ll save money on interest and become debt-free at a much faster pace. When you’re not forced to pay interest on your balances, every penny you pay goes directly towards the principal of your loan.
If you’re thinking a balance transfer might actually work for your situation, here are two cards to consider today:
Chase Slate® – If you’re looking for a smart way to pay down high interest credit card debt fast, the Chase Slate® might be exactly what you need. With this card, you’ll get 0% APR for 15 months – plus no balance transfer fee for transactions made within the first 60 days. While this card doesn’t offer any rewards, it doesn’t charge an annual fee, either. As a result, the Chase Slate® really is the perfect card for someone who wants to use a 0% APR offer to destroy their debts and become debt-free. Read here to learn more about the Chase Slate®.
Discover it® – The Discover it® is another top balance transfer card that has taken the market by storm. With this card option, you’ll get 0% APR on transferred balances for a full 18 months. In addition, you’ll also earn 1 point for every dollar you spend on the card, along with 5 points per dollar spent on the first $1,500 you spend in categories that rotate every quarter. You can redeem your points for cash back or gift cards, and this card also comes without an annual fee. Read here to learn more about the Discover it®.
Consolidate or refinance your debts.
By refinancing certain loans, you may be able to get a better deal and save money in the process. With private student loans, for example, it can make sense to refinance with a different lender to get a loan with a lower interest rate and better terms.
If your current private student loans are charging higher interest rates than you believe you could get elsewhere, make sure to connect with SoFi or LendEDU. Both online student loan providers can help you determine whether you could, in fact, get a better deal.
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If the mortgage on your home began before 2008, you may also be able to save money by refinancing your home at today’s low rates. While starting your loan over may extend your repayment timeline, having a lower monthly payment can free up cash to pay down other debts.
If you are able to refinance at a much lower interest rate, on the other hand, you might be able to get a fifteen-year mortgage for around the same monthly payment as your current, thirty-year loan. If that’s the case, you should at least consider that option to get out of debt faster.
By and large, the best option for your finances depends on how much debt you have, what kind of debt you feel comfortable carrying, and your individual goals.
Drastically cut your expenses.
If you can’t seem to get ahead, you’re probably spending more money than you should most months. If that’s the case, it can pay off to drastically hack your monthly expenses to free up cash.
If you’re not sure where to start, get out your bank statements from prior months to figure out where your money has been going thus far. Are you spending a lot of money dining out at restaurants? Are your trips to the mall hurting your bottom line? Are your car payments killing your budget?
The easiest way to hack your budget is to start with the low-hanging fruit. While you’re trying to pay down debt, stop dining out and start cooking at home. Quit destructive habits like smoking if you can – or at least cut down.
Take a close look at your grocery budget, too. If you’re spending a lot of money on food each month, focusing on cheap and easy meals for a while can help you cut back. Also, look at your “discretionary bills,” and consider cutting them out of your life. If you’re paying a lot for cable television, smartphones, entertainment, or subscriptions, it can pay off to cancel those services while you focus on paying off debt.
Just remember, any amounts you cut from your budget need to be thrown at your debts in whatever order you see fit. If you end up spending that money elsewhere in your budget, you aren’t really helping yourself.
Get a part-time job or pick up a side hustle.
Once you have figured out the best way to pay off your debts and cut your spending, the other way to speed up your journey is to pick up a side hustle or take on a part-time job. By earning income through additional labor – or through passive means – you can earn more cash you can use to pay down debt faster.
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There are myriad ways to earn more money if you look hard enough. Depending on your situation, you might be able to pick up more hours or even overtime at work. Or perhaps you can start a side job or hustle you can run from home.
Mow yards. Trim hedges. Start a small painting business from home. Pick up freelance writing and editing jobs. Babysit your neighbor’s kids or pets. Wash cars, run errands, or house sit.
If you’re creative enough, you’ll find there are plenty of ways to earn extra cash. And once you start earning, you’ll be able to pay off your debts that much faster.
Don’t Let Debt Stand in the Way of Your Dreams
These days, living with debt is the norm – not the exception. Nearly everyone you and I know is struggling with some form of debt. Worse, most people are letting it hold them back from their dreams.
The best thing you can do for yourself – and your finances – is to pay down debt and avoid it like the plague. Try not to keep up with others, and instead, build an enjoyable and realistic lifestyle you can actually afford.
Debt may be normal these days, but you don’t have to be. Dare to be different, and you’ll be much happier – and much richer – in the long run.
Have you ever paid down debt? How much, and how did you do it?
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