14 Practical Tips To Help You Get Out Of Debt

Are you struggling with debt? Don’t despair. This article provides 14 practical tips to help you get out of debt and regain control of your finances. There is hope! 

14 Practical Tips To Help You Get Out Of Debt

Are you struggling to get out of debt? You’re not alone. Millions of people are in the same boat.

In this article, I will give you 14 practical tips that will help you get your finances back on track. I’ll also show you how to deal with creditors so that you can negotiate a reduction in your debt or freeze interest rates.

Finally, I’ll recommend a great book that will provide you with a step-by-step blueprint for getting out of debt. So don’t despair – there is hope. Follow these tips and you’ll be on your way to becoming debt-free in no time.

Create a Budget

This is the first and most important step to getting out of debt. You need to know how much money you have coming in and going out each month. Track your spending for a month so that you can see where your money is going. Then, make some changes to your spending habits so that you can free up some extra cash each month to put toward your debt.

There are many different budgeting methods such as zero-based budgeting, the envelope system, and the 50/30/20 rule. Find one that works best for you and stick to it.

The benefit of budgeting is that it serves as a baseline of understanding as well as a goal target. Without a budget in place, it’s easy to overspend and get further into debt.

Reduce Your Expenses

Take a close look at your budget and see where you can cut back on your spending. Perhaps you can reduce your monthly subscription services, eat out less often, or shop at cheaper stores. Every little bit helps!

Removing liabilities that are not essential or benefit your financial future can help reduce stress as well as increase your monthly cash flow. Money saved each month can be put toward debt repayment, creating a snowball effect that will help you get out of debt even faster.

Snowball Method

The snowball method is a great way to pay off debt quickly. To do this, simply list all of your debts from smallest to largest. Then, focus on paying off the smallest debt first while making minimum payments on your other debts. Once the smallest debt is paid off, move on to the next one on your list.

This method works because it gives you quick wins that keep you motivated to keep going. Although it may not be the best way to lower the total interest you pay on your debts, it is a great way to get rid of debt quickly and boost your confidence. Debt can be mentally draining and the snowball method can give you the psychological rewards you need to keep going.

Avalanche Method

Another approach is to focus on the debt with the highest interest rate first. This is called the “avalanche method” and it can save you money in the long run because you’ll be paying less in interest. To do this, list all of your debts from highest interest rate to lowest. Then, focus on paying off the debt with the highest interest rate while making minimum payments on your other debts.

This may be a slower process than the snowball method, but it will save you money in the long run. If you have the discipline to stick with it, this is the best way to get rid of debt.

Increase Your Income

If you’ve got some extra time, why not make some extra money by getting a part-time job? You can use this additional income to speed up the process of becoming debt-free.

Freelancing or starting your own business are also great options for increasing your income. By increasing your income, you can put more money toward your debt each month and get out of debt even faster.

Speak To Your Creditors

If you’re struggling to make ends meet, reach out to your creditors and explain the situation. They may be willing to work with you by reducing your interest rates or giving you more time to pay off your debt.

Learning some negotiating skills can also be helpful in this situation. It may be nerve-wracking to speak to your creditors, but it’s important to remember that they want you to be able to pay off your debt so that they can get their money back.

Balance Transfer

If you have high-interest credit card debt, consider doing a balance transfer to a low-interest card. This will save you money on interest each month, giving you more money to put toward paying off your debt.

The way a balance transfer works is that you transfer the balance of your high-interest credit card to a new credit card with a lowezr interest rate. This promotional period typically lasts for 6-12 months. Just be sure to pay off your debt before the promotional period ends, or you’ll be stuck paying high-interest rates again.

Debt Consolidation

If you have multiple debts, you may want to consider consolidating them into one loan. This can save you money on interest and make your monthly payments more manageable. For example, let’s say you have 3 credit cards with the following balances and interest rates:

Credit Card 1: £1,000 at 15% interest

Credit Card 2: £2,000 at 20% interest

Credit Card 3: £3,000 at 25% interest

If you consolidate these debts into one loan with a 10% interest rate, you’ll save money on interest each month. Plus, you’ll only have to make one monthly payment instead of three. This can lower your transaction fees and increase organisation with your cash flow.

To do this, you’d refinance and take out a personal loan with a lower interest rate. Then, you’d pay off all three credit cards with the personal loan. Just be sure to shop around for the best interest rate and terms before consolidating your debt.

Sell Some Stuff

Got some extra stuff lying around that you don’t need? Sell it! You can use the extra cash to pay down your debt faster. It can be difficult to let go of things, but remember – your debt is costing you more in the long run. Take some time to go through your belongings and see what you can live without.

Have a garage sale, sell items online, or take them to a consignment shop. You might be surprised by how much of your debt load you can pay off just by selling some of your stuff.

There are collectors in practically every niche imaginable, so don’t be afraid to get rid of those items that are just taking up space in your house. Through online marketplaces, you can easily sell anything these days – from clothes to furniture to electronics.

Pay More Than The Minimum

The key to getting out of debt is to make more than the minimum payments on your debts each month. The extra money you pay will go toward the principal balance, rather than the interest. This will save you money in the long run and help you get out of debt faster.

The reason why it’s best to pay more than the minimum is that your debt will continue to grow if you only make minimum payments. This is because the interest on your debt is accruing each month, and the majority of your payment is going toward paying off this interest. It can be difficult to make more than the minimum payments, but it’s essential for paying off your debt promptly.

Avoid Acquiring More Debt

Solving the root cause of your debt is the best way to get out of it for good. If you’re consistently spending more money than you have, you’ll never be able to get ahead. It’s important that you don’t make impulsive purchases and that you have a plan for your spending. By ensuring that the debt is not being added to each month, you’ll be well on your way to becoming debt-free.

To avoid acquiring more debt, it can be helpful to remove temptations. Unsubscribing from sales and promotional emails can be helpful so you’re not as tempted to make unnecessary purchases. For bigger items, it may be helpful to save up for them instead of putting them on credit.

Paying in cash can also be a helpful way to stick to your budget and avoid overspending. This is because it can be more painful psychologically to let go of physical cash than to swipe a credit card.

Automate The Process

Once you’ve made a plan for getting out of debt, automate the process as much as possible. This means setting up automatic payments for your debts each month. This will help to ensure that you’re never late on a payment and that you’re making progress toward becoming debt-free.

Forgetting to make a payment can set you back and make it harder to get out of debt. Automating your payments will help to keep you on track and prevent you from spending your money on unnecessary items.

Ask For Help

If you’re really struggling to get out of debt, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a financial advisor or a credit counseling service. They can help you create a budget, negotiate with creditors, and make a plan for getting out of debt.

There are also financial coaches that you can find online to help you with your financial freedom journey. By connecting with a mentor that has gone through the process themselves, you can get inspired and motivated to stay on track with your debt repayment plan. You can schedule a coaching call with me here.

There’s genuinely no shame in seeking guidance. In fact, it shows a growth of mindset that you’re willing to listen and learn from someone who has already achieved what you desire.

Read Books

There are many great books out there that can help you get out of debt. I’ll biasly recommend my eBook “How I Paid Off £36,000 Debt: My 10 Steps To Debt Freedom“. This eBook provides a step-by-step plan for getting out of debt and achieving financial freedom. These practical tips are an excellent place to start your debt-free journey, and this eBook is an essential blueprint for debt freedom.

If you’re struggling with debt, know that you’re not alone, and there’s hope. In this article, we’ve provided 14 practical tips to help you regain control of your finances. With determination and these tools, you can work towards a debt-free life.