About 'were debt free'|ARE YOU DEBT FREE

Ｉｎ               2000,               ｍｙ               ｗｉｆｅ               ａｎｄ               Ｉ               ｗｅｒｅ               ｏｖｅｒ               $30,000               ｉｎ               ｃｒｅｄｉｔ               ｃａｒｄ               ｄｅｂｔ,               ｗｉｔｈ               ｎｏ               ｈｏｐｅ               ｏｆ               ｄｅｂｔ               ｒｅｌｉｅｆ               ｉｎ               ｓｉｇｈｔ.

Ｗｅ               ｏｗｎｅｄ               ａｂｏｕｔ               ｆｉｖｅ               ｃｒｅｄｉｔ               ｃａｒｄｓ,               ａｎｄ               ｅａｃｈ               ｈａｄ               ｓｅｖｅｒａｌ               ｔｈｏｕｓａｎｄ               ｄｏｌｌａｒｓ               ｏｎ               ｔｈｅｍ.

Ｉｎｄｉｖｉｄｕａｌｌｙ,               ｔｈｅ               ｂｉｌｌｓ               ｄｉｄｎ'ｔ               ｌｏｏｋ               ｓｏ               ｏｖｅｒｗｈｅｌｍｉｎｇ,               ｂｕｔ               ｏｎｃｅ               ｗｅ               ａｄｄｅｄ               ｔｈｅｍ               ｕｐ               ｆｏｒ               ｔｈｅ               ｍｏｎｔｈ,               ｏｕｒ               ｃｒｅｄｉｔ               ｃａｒｄ               ｂｉｌｌｓ               ｔｏｔａｌｅｄ               ｓｅｖｅｒａｌ               ｈｕｎｄｒｅｄ               ｄｏｌｌａｒｓ               ｔｈａｔ               ｗｅ               ｃｏｕｌｄｎ'ｔ               ａｆｆｏｒｄ.

Ｗｈｅｎ               Ｄｅｂｔ               Ｂｅｃｏｍｅｓ               Ａｌｌ               Ｙｏｕ               Ｗｏｒｋ               Ｆｏｒ
               Ｔｈｅ               ｐｒｏｂｌｅｍ               ｗｉｔｈ               ｂｅｉｎｇ               ｉｎ               ｓｏ               ｍｕｃｈ               ｄｅｂｔ               ｗａｓ               ｔｈａｔ               ｔｈｅ               ｂｕｄｇｅｔ               ｉｔｓｅｌｆ               ｃａｎ               ｂｅ               ｂａｌａｎｃｅｄ,               ｂｕｔ               ｗｉｔｈ               ｔｈｅ               ｃｒｅｄｉｔ               ｃａｒｄ               ｐａｙｍｅｎｔｓ               ｅｖｅｒｙ               ｍｏｎｔｈ,               ｉｔ               ｐｌａｃｅｓ               ｔｈｅ               ｏｖｅｒａｌｌ               ｈｏｕｓｅｈｏｌｄ               ｂｕｄｇｅｔ               ｏｆｆ               ｂａｌａｎｃｅ.

Ｅｖｅｎ               ｉｆ               ｙｏｕ               ｃｕｔ               ｃｏｒｎｅｒｓ,               ｓｕｃｈ               ａｓ               ｔｕｒｎ               ｏｆｆ               ｃａｂｌｅ               ｏｒ               ｓａｖｅ               ｏｎ               ｇｒｏｃｅｒｉｅｓ,               ｙｏｕｒ               ｂｕｄｇｅｔ               ｉｓ               ｓｔｉｌｌ               ｒｉｄｉｎｇ               ｏｎ               ｔｈｅ               ｖｅｒｙ               ｅｄｇｅ               ｏｆ               ｃｏｍｐｌｅｔｅ               ｆｉｎａｎｃｉａｌ               ｃｏｌｌａｐｓｅ.

Ｔｈｅ               ｓｌｉｇｈｔｅｓｔ               ｆｉｎａｎｃｉａｌ               ｃｒｉｓｉｓ,               ｓｕｃｈ               ａｓ               ａ               ｃａｒ               ａｃｃｉｄｅｎｔ               ｏｒ               ａｎ               ｕｎｅｘｐｅｃｔｅｄ               ｈｏｍｅ               ｒｅｐａｉｒ,               ｃａｎ               ｆｏｒｃｅ               ａ               ｆａｍｉｌｙ               ｔｏ               ｐｕｌｌ               ｏｕｔ               ｔｈｅ               ｃｒｅｄｉｔ               ｃａｒｄ,               ｙｅｔ               ａｇａｉｎ,               ａｎｄ               ｄｒｉｖｅ               ｔｈｅｍｓｅｌｖｅｓ               ｅｖｅｎ               ｍｏｒｅ               ｄｅｅｐｌｙ               ｉｎｔｏ               ｔｈｅ               ｈｏｌｅ               ｏｆ               ｃｒｅｄｉｔ               ｃａｒｄ               ｄｅｂｔ               ｔｈｅｙ               ａｒｅ               ｉｎ.
               Ｉ'ｍ               Ｔｒａｐｐｅｄ               Ｂｙ               Ｄｅｂｔ               -               Ｗｈａｔ               Ｃａｎ               Ｉ               Ｄｏ?
               Ｄｅｂｔ               ｃａｎ               ｄｅｓｔｒｏｙ               ｆａｍｉｌｉｅｓ.

Ｗｈｉｌｅ               ｔｈａｔ               ｍａｙ               ｓｏｕｎｄ               ｄｒａｍａｔｉｃ,               ｉｔ'ｓ               ａｃｔｕａｌｌｙ               ｔｒｕｅ.

Ａｃｃｏｒｄｉｎｇ               ｔｏ               Ｆｅｄｅｒａｌ               ｓｕｒｖｅｙｓ,               57               ｐｅｒｃｅｎｔ               ｏｆ               ｍａｒｒｉａｇｅｓ               ｅｎｄ               ｉｎ               ｄｉｖｏｒｃｅ               ｄｕｅ               ｔｏ               ｆｉｎａｎｃｉａｌ               ｐｒｏｂｌｅｍｓ.

Ｄｅｂｔ               ｃｒｅａｔｅｓ               ｔｒｅｍｅｎｄｏｕｓ               ｌｅｖｅｌｓ               ｏｆ               ｓｔｒｅｓｓ               ａｎｄ               ａｎｘｉｅｔｙ,               ａｎｄ               ｔｈａｔ               ｓｔｒｅｓｓ               ｃａｎ               ｌｅａｄ               ｔｏ               ｓｅｒｉｏｕｓ               ｈｅａｌｔｈ               ｉｓｓｕｅｓ               ｄｏｗｎ               ｔｈｅ               ｒｏａｄ.

Ｄｅｂｔ               ｉｓ               ｎｏｔ               ｏｎｌｙ               ａ               ｆｉｎａｎｃｉａｌ               ｍａｔｔｅｒ.

Ｉｔ               ａｆｆｅｃｔｓ               ｆａｍｉｌｙ               ｒｅｌａｔｉｏｎｓｈｉｐｓ               ａｎｄ               ｔｈｅｉｒ               ｈｅａｌｔｈ.

Ｔｈｉｓ               ｉｓ               ｗｈｙ               ｉｔ'ｓ               ｓｏ               ｉｍｐｏｒｔａｎｔ               ｔｏ               ｂｒｅａｋ               ｆｒｅｅ               ｆｒｏｍ               ｄｅｂｔ,               ａｎｄ               ｒｅｍａｉｎ               ｄｅｂｔ               ｆｒｅｅ.
               Ｗｈｉｌｅ               ｉｔ               ｍｉｇｈｔ               ｆｅｅｌ               ｌｉｋｅ               ａｎ               ｉｎｓｕｒｍｏｕｎｔａｂｌｅ               ｔａｓｋ               ｗｈｅｎ               ｉｔ'ｓ               ｆａｃｅｄ               ｈｅａｄ-ｏｎ               ａｎｄ               ｉｎ               ｉｔｓ               ｅｎｔｉｒｅｔｙ,               ｉｔ               ｒｅａｌｌｙ               ｉｓｎ'ｔ.

Ｗｈｅｎ               ｗｅ               ｗｅｒｅ               ｂｕｒｄｅｎｅｄ               ｂｙ               ｓｕｃｈ               ａ               ｔｒｅｍｅｎｄｏｕｓ               ｄｅｂｔ               ｌｏａｄ,               ａｎｄ               ａｆｔｅｒ               ｔａｋｉｎｇ               ｔｈｅ               ｔｉｍｅ               ｔｏ               ｃａｌｃｕｌａｔｅ               ｔｈｅ               ｔｏｔａｌ               ｖａｌｕｅ               ｏｆ               ｏｕｒ               ｄｅｂｔ,               ｗｅ               ｓｉｍｐｌｙ               ｓａｔ               ｉｎ               ｓｈｏｃｋ.

Ａｔ               ｔｈａｔ               ｍｏｍｅｎｔ,               ｉｔ               ｓｅｅｍｅｄ               ｉｎｃｏｎｃｅｉｖａｂｌｅ               ｔｈａｔ               ｉｔ               ｍｉｇｈｔ               ｂｅ               ｐｏｓｓｉｂｌｅ               ｔｏ               ｐａｙ               ｉｔ               ａｌｌ               ｂａｃｋ               ｉｎ               ｏｎｅ               ｌｉｆｅｔｉｍｅ.

Ｉｎ               ｔｈｅ               ｅｎｄ,               ｗｅ               ｄｉｄ               ｐａｙ               ｏｆｆ               ｔｈｅ               $30,000               ｉｎ               ｄｅｂｔ               ｗｈｉｃｈ               ｗｅ               ｏｗｅｄ,               ｂｕｔ               ｉｎ               ｄｏｉｎｇ               ｓｏ,               ｗｅ               ｈａｄ               ｃａｐｔｕｒｅｄ               ａ               ｖｅｒｙ               ｉｍｐｏｒｔａｎｔ               ｐｉｅｃｅ               ｏｆ               ｗｉｓｄｏｍ               ａｂｏｕｔ               ｄｅｂｔ               ａｎｄ               ｆｉｎａｎｃｅｓ.
               10               Ｓｔｅｐｓ               ｔｏ               Ｄｅｂｔ               Ｒｅｌｉｅｆ
               Ｉ               ａｍ               ｇｏｉｎｇ               ｔｏ               ｓｈａｒｅ               10               ｉｍｐｏｒｔａｎｔ               ｓｔｅｐｓ               ｗｉｔｈ               ｙｏｕ               ｔｈａｔ               ｔｈｅ               ｃｒｅｄｉｔ               ｃａｒｄ               ｃｏｍｐａｎｉｅｓ               ｗｏｕｌｄ               ｐｒｅｆｅｒ               ｔｈａｔ               ｙｏｕ               ｄｏｎ'ｔ               ｋｎｏｗ.

Ｔｈｅ               ｒｅａｓｏｎ               ｔｈｅｙ               ｄｏｎ'ｔ               ｗａｎｔ               ｙｏｕ               ｔｏ               ｋｎｏｗ               ｔｈｅｓｅ               ｓｅｃｒｅｔｓ               ｉｓ               ｂｅｃａｕｓｅ               ｏｎｃｅ               ｙｏｕ               ｌｅａｒｎ               ｔｈｅｍ               ａｎｄ               ｐｕｔ               ｔｈｅｍ               ｉｎｔｏ               ｐｒａｃｔｉｃｅ,               ｙｏｕ'ｌｌ               ｈａｖｅ               ｂｒｏｋｅｎ               ｆｒｅｅ               ｆｒｏｍ               ｔｈｅ               ｃｌｕｔｃｈｅｓ               ｏｆ               ｃｒｅｄｉｔ               ｃａｒｄ               ｄｅｂｔ.
               #1               Ｎｅｖｅｒ               ｐａｙ               ｔｈｅ               ｍｉｎｉｍｕｍ               -               Ｂｅｉｎｇ               ｔｈｅ               ｅｎｇｉｎｅｅｒ               ｔｈａｔ               Ｉ               ａｍ,               Ｉ               ｄｅｃｉｄｅｄ               ｔｏ               ｄｅｔｅｒｍｉｎｅ               ｈｏｗ               ｌｏｎｇ               ｉｔ               ｗｏｕｌｄ               ｔａｋｅ               ｔｏ               ｐａｙ               ｏｆｆ               ａｌｌ               ｏｆ               ｔｈｅ               ｄｅｂｔ               ｉｆ               ｗｅ               ｏｎｌｙ               ｐａｉｄ               ｔｈｅ               ｍｉｎｉｍｕｍ               ｖｅｒｓｕｓ               ｉｆ               ｗｅ               ｐａｉｄ               ｊｕｓｔ               $50               ｍｏｒｅ               ｅａｃｈ               ｍｏｎｔｈ.

Ｗｉｔｈｏｕｔ               ｔｈｅ               ｅｘｔｒａ               ｐａｙｍｅｎｔ,               ｉｔ               ｗｏｕｌｄ               ｈａｖｅ               ｌｉｔｅｒａｌｌｙ               ｔａｋｅｎ               ｕｓ               ａｂｏｕｔ               30               ｙｅａｒｓ               ｔｏ               ｐａｙ               ｏｆｆ               ｔｈｅ               ｄｅｂｔ.

Ｊｕｓｔ               ａｄｄｉｎｇ               $50               ｔｏ               ｔｈｅ               ｏｖｅｒａｌｌ               ｐａｙｍｅｎｔ               ｄｅｃｒｅａｓｅｄ               ｔｈａｔ               ａｍｏｕｎｔ               ｏｆ               ｔｉｍｅ               ｂｙ               10               ｙｅａｒｓ.
               #2               Ｐｕｔ               ａｎ               ｅｎｄ               ｔｏ               ｔｈｅ               ｈｉｇｈ               ｒａｔｅｓ               ｒｉｇｈｔ               ｎｏｗ               -               Ｗｈｅｎｅｖｅｒ               ｙｏｕ               ｓｉｇｎ               ｕｐ               ｆｏｒ               ｄｅｐａｒｔｍｅｎｔ               ｓｔｏｒｅ               ｃｒｅｄｉｔ,               ｏｒ               ｉｆ               ｙｏｕ'ｖｅ               ｈａｄ               ａ               ｃａｒｄ               ｆｏｒ               ａ               ｌｏｎｇ               ｔｉｍｅ               ａｎｄ               ｍｉｇｈｔ               ｈａｖｅ               ｍｉｓｓｅｄ               ａ               ｐａｙｍｅｎｔ               ｏｒ               ｔｗｏ,               ｙｏｕｒ               ｉｎｔｅｒｅｓｔ               ｒａｔｅｓ               ｃａｎ               ｐｏｔｅｎｔｉａｌｌｙ               ｒｉｓｅ               ｕｐ               ｔｏ               24%               ｏｒ               ｍｏｒｅ.

Ｔｈｉｓ               ｓｏｒｔ               ｏｆ               ｉｎｔｅｒｅｓｔ               ｍａｋｅｓ               ｉｔ               ｉｍｐｏｓｓｉｂｌｅ               ｔｏ               ｐａｙ               ｏｆｆ               ｔｈｅ               ｂｉｌｌ.

Ｉｆ               ｙｏｕｒ               ｃｒｅｄｉｔ               ｉｓ               ｇｏｏｄ,               ｆｉｎｄ               ａ               ｌｏｗ-ｒａｔｅ               ｏｆｆｅｒ               ａｎｄ               ｏｐｅｎ               ｕｐ               ｏｎｅ               ｍｏｒｅ               ｃｒｅｄｉｔ               ｃａｒｄ,               ｔｒａｎｓｆｅｒｒｉｎｇ               ａｌｌ               ｈｉｇｈ               ｉｎｔｅｒｅｓｔ               ｒａｔｅ               ｃａｒｄｓ               ｏｎｔｏ               ｔｈｅ               ｆｉｘｅｄ               ｌｏｗ-ｉｎｔｅｒｅｓｔ               ｒａｔｅ               ｃａｒｄ.


               #3               Ｃｕｔ               ｕｐ               ｔｈｅ               ｃａｒｄｓ               -               Ｏｎｃｅ               ｙｏｕ               ａｒｅ               ｆｉｎｉｓｈｅｄ               ｔｒａｎｓｆｅｒｒｉｎｇ               ａｌｌ               ｏｆ               ｔｈｅ               ｌｏａｎｓ               ａｎｄ               ｃｏｎｆｉｒｍｉｎｇ               ｔｈａｔ               ａｌｌ               ｏｆ               ｙｏｕｒ               ｉｎｔｅｒｅｓｔ               ｒａｔｅｓ               ａｒｅ               ｒｅａｓｏｎａｂｌｅ,               ｐｕｔ               ｔｈｅ               ｃａｒｄｓ               ａｗａｙ,               ｎｅｖｅｒ               ｔｏ               ｂｅ               ｕｓｅｄ               ａｇａｉｎ.

Ｉｆ               ｙｏｕ               ｄｏｎ'ｔ               ｔｒｕｓｔ               ｙｏｕｒｓｅｌｆ,               ｔｈｅｎ               ｓｉｍｐｌｙ               ｃｕｔ               ｕｐ               ｔｈｅ               ｃａｒｄｓ               ａｎｄ               ｔｈｒｏｗ               ｔｈｅｍ               ａｗａｙ.

Ｔｈｅ               ｏｎｌｙ               ｗａｙ               ｙｏｕ               ｗｉｌｌ               ｅｘｐｅｒｉｅｎｃｅ               ｔｒｕｅ               ｄｅｂｔ               ｒｅｌｉｅｆ               ｉｓ               ｂｙ               ｃｏｍｐｌｅｔｅｌｙ               ａｖｏｉｄｉｎｇ               ｔｈｅ               ｕｓｅ               ｏｆ               ｃｒｅｄｉｔ.


               #4               Ｒｅｏｒｇａｎｉｚｅ               ｙｏｕｒ               ｂｕｄｇｅｔ               ｔｏ               ｌｉｖｅ               ｗｉｔｈｉｎ               ｙｏｕｒ               ｍｅａｎｓ               -               Ｃｌｏｓｅｌｙ               ｅｘａｍｉｎｅ               ｙｏｕｒ               ｈｏｕｓｅｈｏｌｄ               ｂｕｄｇｅｔ,               ａｓ               ｗｅｌｌ               ａｓ               ｙｏｕｒ               ａｃｔｕａｌ               ｓｐｅｎｄｉｎｇ               ｐａｔｔｅｒｎｓ               ｆｒｏｍ               ｙｏｕｒ               ｂａｎｋ               ｓｔａｔｅｍｅｎｔｓ.

Ｏｎｃｅ               ｙｏｕ               ｈａｖｅ               ａ               ｇｏｏｄ               ｐｉｃｔｕｒｅ               ｏｆ               ｗｈｅｒｅ               ｙｏｕｒ               ｍｏｎｅｙ               ｉｓ               ｇｏｉｎｇ               ａｎｄ               ｗｈａｔ               ｐａｒｔｓ               ｏｆ               ｔｈｅ               ｂｕｄｇｅｔ               ａｒｅ               ｕｎｒｅａｓｏｎａｂｌｙ               ｈｉｇｈ,               ｉｔ'ｓ               ｔｉｍｅ               ｔｏ               ｓｔａｒｔ               ｃｕｔｔｉｎｇ               ａｓ               ｍａｎｙ               ｔｈｉｎｇｓ               ｏｕｔ               ｏｆ               ｔｈｅ               ｂｕｄｇｅｔ               ａｓ               ｙｏｕ               ｃａｎ.


               #5               Ｗａｔｃｈ               ｔｈｅ               ｃｒｅｄｉｔ               ｃａｒｄ               ｓｔａｔｅｍｅｎｔｓ               ｖｅｒｙ               ｃｌｏｓｅｌｙ               -               Ｃｒｅｄｉｔ               ｃａｒｄ               ｃｏｍｐａｎｉｅｓ               ｐｌａｙ               ｎａｓｔｙ               ｔｒｉｃｋｓ.

Ｉｔ'ｓ               ａ               ｐｒｏｖｅｎ               ｆａｃｔ.

Ｉｎ               ｆａｃｔ,               ｉｎ               2007               ａｎｄ               2008,               Ｃｈａｓｅ               ｃｕｓｔｏｍｅｒｓ               ｒｅｐｏｒｔｅｄ               ｔｈａｔ               Ｃｈａｓｅ               ｂａｎｋ               ｈａｄ               ｍｏｄｉｆｉｅｄ               ｔｈｅ               ｄｕｅ               ｄａｔｅｓ               ｏｆ               ｃｏｎｓｕｍｅｒｓ'               ｂｉｌｌｓ               ｓｏ               ｔｈａｔ               ｔｈｏｓｅ               ｃｕｓｔｏｍｅｒｓ               ｗｈｏ               ｔｙｐｉｃａｌｌｙ               ｐａｉｄ               ｔｈｅ               ｂｉｌｌ               ｔｈｅ               ｓａｍｅ               ｔｉｍｅ               ｅｖｅｒｙ               ｍｏｎｔｈ               ｗｏｕｌｄ               ｅｎｄ               ｕｐ               ｂｅｉｎｇ               ｌａｔｅ.

Ｗｈｙ               ｗｏｕｌｄ               Ｃｈａｓｅ               ｄｏ               ｓｕｃｈ               ａ               ｔｈｉｎｇ?

Ｔｈｅｙ               ｄｉｄ               ｉｔ               ｆｏｒ               ｔｗｏ               ｒｅａｓｏｎｓ.

Ｉｆ               ａ               ｐｅｒｓｏｎ               ｐａｙｓ               ｏｆｆ               ｔｈｅｉｒ               ｂｉｌｌ               ｅｖｅｒｙ               ｍｏｎｔｈ,               ｔｈｅｎ               ｔｈｉｓ               ｗｏｕｌｄ               ｆｏｒｃｅ               ｔｈｅｍ               ｔｏ               ａｔ               ｌｅａｓｔ               ｉｎｃｕｒ               ａ               ｌａｔｅ               ｆｅｅ.

Ｉｆ               ａ               ｐｅｒｓｏｎ               ｈａｓ               ａ               ｌａｒｇｅ               ｒｅｖｏｌｖｉｎｇ               ｄｅｂｔ               ｗｉｔｈ               ａ               ｖｅｒｙ               ｌｏｗ,               ｆｉｘｅｄ               ｉｎｔｅｒｅｓｔ               ｒａｔｅ,               ｉｔ               ｗｏｕｌｄ               ａｌｌｏｗ               Ｃｈａｓｅ               ｔｏ               ｂａｃｋ               ｏｕｔ               ｏｆ               ｔｈｅ               "ｆｉｘｅｄ               ｒａｔｅ"               ａｇｒｅｅｍｅｎｔ.


               #6               Ｕｓｅ               ｔｈｅ               Ｓｎｏｗｂａｌｌ               Ｔｅｃｈｎｉｑｕｅ               -               Ｔｈｅ               ｓｉｎｇｌｅ               ｍｏｓｔ               ｅｆｆｅｃｔｉｖｅ               ｔｅｃｈｎｉｑｕｅ,               ｗｈｉｃｈ               ｗｏｒｋｅｄ               ｖｅｒｙ               ｗｅｌｌ               ｆｏｒ               ｕｓ,               ｗａｓ               ｔｏ               ｓｔａｒｔ               ｏｕｔ               ｐａｙｉｎｇ               ａｂｏｕｔ               $50               (ｏｒ               ｈｏｗｅｖｅｒ               ｍｕｃｈ               ｙｏｕ               ｃａｎ               ａｆｆｏｒｄ)               ｍｏｒｅ               ｔｈａｎ               ｔｈｅ               ｍｉｎｉｍｕｍ               ｏｎ               ｔｈｅ               ｃａｒｄ               ｗｉｔｈ               ｔｈｅ               ｌｏｗｅｓｔ               ｂａｌａｎｃｅ.

Ｏｎ               ｔｈｅ               ｒｅｍａｉｎｉｎｇ               ｃａｒｄｓ               ｙｏｕ               ｃｏｎｔｉｎｕｅ               ｐａｙｉｎｇ               ｔｈｅ               ｍｉｎｉｍｕｍ.

Ｏｎｃｅ               ｔｈａｔ               ｂａｌａｎｃｅ               ｉｓ               ｐａｉｄ               ｏｆｆ,               ｔａｋｅ               ｔｈａｔ               ｐｒｅｖｉｏｕｓ               ｐａｙｍｅｎｔ               ｙｏｕ               ｗｅｒｅ               ｍａｋｉｎｇ               ｔｏ               ｔｈａｔ               ｃａｒｄ,               ａｎｄ               ａｄｄ               ｉｔ               ｔｏ               ｔｈｅ               ｃａｒｄ               ｗｉｔｈ               ｔｈｅ               ｎｅｘｔ               ｈｉｇｈｅｓｔ               ｂａｌａｎｃｅ.

Ｂｙ               ｄｏｉｎｇ               ｔｈｉｓ,               ｗｅ               ｗｅｒｅ               ａｂｌｅ               ｔｏ               ｐａｙ               ｏｆｆ               ｏｕｒ               ｄｅｂｔ               ｉｎ               ｆｉｖｅ               ｙｅａｒｓ               -               ｗｈｉｌｅ               ｉｔ               ｗｏｕｌｄ               ｈａｖｅ               ｔａｋｅｎ               ｕｓ               ｏｖｅｒ               20               ｙｅａｒｓ               ｈａｄ               ｗｅ               ｏｎｌｙ               ｐａｉｄ               ｔｈｅ               ｍｉｎｉｍｕｍ               ｐａｙｍｅｎｔ               ｏｎ               ａｌｌ               ｏｆ               ｔｈｅｍ               ｆｏｒ               ｔｈｅ               ｗｈｏｌｅ               ｔｉｍｅ.


               #7               Ｍｏｎｉｔｏｒ               ｙｏｕｒ               ｄｅｂｔ               ｃｌｏｓｅｌｙ.

Ａｌｗａｙｓ               ｋｎｏｗ               ｈｏｗ               ｍｕｃｈ               ｙｏｕ               ｏｗｅ.

Ｆａｒ               ｔｏｏ               ｍａｎｙ               ｐｅｏｐｌｅ               ｄｏｎ'ｔ               ｅｖｅｎ               ｐａｙ               ａｔｔｅｎｔｉｏｎ               ｔｏ               ｔｈｅ               ｂａｌａｎｃｅ               ｏｆ               ｔｈｅｉｒ               ｄｅｂｔ.

Ｔｈｉｓ               ｍａｋｅｓ               ｉｔ               ｆａｒ               ｔｏｏ               ｅａｓｙ               ｔｏ               ｃｏｎｔｉｎｕｅ               ｕｓｉｎｇ               ｔｈｅ               ｃｒｅｄｉｔ               ｃａｒｄ,               ｂｅｃａｕｓｅ               ｉｆ               ｙｏｕ               ｄｏｎ'ｔ               ｋｎｏｗ               ｔｈｅ               ｄａｍａｇｅ               ｔｈａｔ               ａｌｒｅａｄｙ               ｅｘｉｓｔｓ,               ｉｔ'ｓ               ｍｕｃｈ               ｅａｓｉｅｒ               ｔｏ               ｄｏ               ｍｏｒｅ               ｄａｍａｇｅ.

Ｆｏｒｃｅ               ｙｏｕｒｓｅｌｆ               ｔｏ               ｌｏｏｋ               ａｔ               ｔｈｅ               ｂａｌａｎｃｅ               ｏｎ               ｔｈｅ               ｃｒｅｄｉｔ               ｃａｒｄ               ｂｉｌｌ               ｗｈｅｎｅｖｅｒ               ｉｔ               ｃｏｍｅｓ               ｉｎ,               ａｎｄ               ｔａｌｌｙ               ｕｐ               ｗｈａｔ               ｙｏｕ               ｏｗｅ               ｉｎ               ｔｏｔａｌ               ｆｏｒ               ｔｈｅ               ｍｏｎｔｈ.

Ｋｅｅｐ               ａ               ｒｕｎｎｉｎｇ               ｌｉｓｔ               ｆｒｏｍ               ｍｏｎｔｈ               ｔｏ               ｍｏｎｔｈ               ｓｏ               ｙｏｕ               ｃａｎ               ｗａｔｃｈ               ｙｏｕｒ               ｄｅｂｔ               ｒｅｌｉｅｆ               ｐｒｏｇｒｅｓｓ.


               #8               Ｂｅ               ｃａｒｅｆｕｌ               ｎｏｔ               ｔｏ               ｒｅｌａｐｓｅ.

Ｓｏｍｅ               ｐｅｏｐｌｅ               ｗｈｏ               ａｒｅ               ｄｅｖｏｔｅｄ               ｔｏ               ｐａｙｉｎｇ               ｏｆｆ               ｔｈｅｉｒ               ｃｒｅｄｉｔ               ｃａｒｄ               ｄｅｂｔ               ｄｏ               ｅｘｃｅｅｄｉｎｇｌｙ               ｗｅｌｌ,               ｕｎｔｉｌ               ｓｏｍｅ               ｍａｊｏｒ               ｅｖｅｎｔ               ｌｉｋｅ               Ｃｈｒｉｓｔｍａｓ,               ｏｒ               ａ               ｎｅｗ               ｂａｂｙ               ｃｏｍｅｓ               ａｌｏｎｇ.

Ｄｕｒｉｎｇ               ｍａｊｏｒ               ｈｏｌｉｄａｙｓ               ｏｒ               ｌｉｆｅ               ｅｖｅｎｔｓ,               ｐｅｏｐｌｅ               ｆｉｎｄ               ｉｔ               ｍｕｃｈ               ｅａｓｉｅｒ               ｔｏ               ｃｏｎｖｉｎｃｅ               ｔｈｅｍｓｅｌｖｅｓ               ｔｈａｔ               ｕｓｉｎｇ               ｄｅｂｔ               ｔｏ               ｐａｙ               ｆｏｒ               ｔｈｉｎｇｓ               ｉｓ               "ｎｅｃｅｓｓａｒｙ."               Ｒｅｍｅｍｂｅｒ               -               ｄｅｂｔ               ｗａｓ               ｎｅｖｅｒ               ｎｅｃｅｓｓａｒｙ               ｆｏｒ               ｓｕｒｖｉｖａｌ.

Ｙｅａｒｓ               ａｇｏ,               ｆａｍｉｌｉｅｓ               ｕｓｅｄ               ｔｏ               ｐｕｔ               ｍｏｎｅｙ               ｉｎ               ｔｈｅｉｒ               ｓａｖｉｎｇｓ               ａｃｃｏｕｎｔｓ               ｓｏ               ｔｈａｔ               ｔｈｅｙ               ｃｏｕｌｄ               ｅｖｅｎｔｕａｌｌｙ               ｂｕｙ               ｔｈｅ               ｔｈｉｎｇｓ               ｔｈｅｙ               ｗａｎｔ.

Ｔｈｅ               ｎｅｅｄ               ｆｏｒ               ｉｎｓｔａｎｔ               ｇｒａｔｉｆｉｃａｔｉｏｎ               ｗａｓｎ'ｔ               ｓｏ               ｅｐｉｄｅｍｉｃ               ｂａｃｋ               ｔｈｅｎ.


               #9               Ｂｏｙｃｏｔｔ               ａｌｌ               ｃｒｅｄｉｔ.

Ｗｈｅｎ               ｙｏｕ               ｓｔａｒｔ               ｄｏｉｎｇ               ｔｈｉｓ,               ｙｏｕ               ｗｉｌｌ               ｆｅｅｌ               ｇｒｅａｔ               ａｂｏｕｔ               ｙｏｕｒｓｅｌｆ               ａｎｄ               ｗｈａｔ               ｙｏｕ'ｒｅ               ａｃｃｏｍｐｌｉｓｈｉｎｇ.

Ｓｏ               ｇｏｏｄ,               ｉｎ               ｆａｃｔ,               ｔｈａｔ               ｙｏｕ               ｍａｙ               ｅｖｅｎ               ｃｏｎｓｉｄｅｒ               ｓｗｅａｒｉｎｇ               ｏｆｆ               ａｌｌ               ｆｏｒｍｓ               ｏｆ               ｄｅｂｔ.

Ｙｏｕ               ｍａｙ               ｃｏｎｓｉｄｅｒ               ｕｓｉｎｇ               ｙｏｕｒ               ｓａｖｉｎｇｓ               ａｃｃｏｕｎｔ,               ｉｎｓｔｅａｄ               ｏｆ               ａ               ｃｒｅｄｉｔ               ｃａｒｄ,               ｔｏ               ｂｕｙ               ｔｈｉｎｇｓ               ｌｉｋｅ               ｙｏｕｒ               ｎｅｘｔ               ｃａｒ,               ｆｏｒ               ｃｏｌｌｅｇｅ               ｔｕｉｔｉｏｎ.

Ｉｔ               ｉｓ               ｐｏｓｓｉｂｌｅ               ｔｏ               ｓｕｒｖｉｖｅ               ｗｉｔｈｏｕｔ               ｕｓｉｎｇ               ｃｒｅｄｉｔ.


               #10               Ｅｎｊｏｙ               ｙｏｕｒ               ｄｅｂｔ               ｆｒｅｅ               ｌｉｆｅ.

Ｗｈｉｌｅ               ｙｏｕ               ａｒｅ               ｄｅｖｏｔｉｎｇ               ｅｎｅｒｇｙ               ｔｏ               ｓａｖｉｎｇ               ｆｏｒ               ｔｈｉｎｇｓ,               ａｎｄ               ｍａｋｉｎｇ               ｓａｃｒｉｆｉｃｅｓ               ｓｏ               ｔｈａｔ               ｙｏｕ               ｃａｎ               ｐａｙ               ｏｆｆ               ｙｏｕｒ               ｄｅｂｔ               ｆａｓｔｅｒ               -               ｒｅｍｉｎｄ               ｙｏｕｒｓｅｌｆ               ｗｈａｔ               ｔｈｅ               ｕｌｔｉｍａｔｅ               ｇｏａｌ               ｉｓ               ａｎｄ               ｈｏｗ               ｉｍｐｏｒｔａｎｔ               ｉｔ               ｉｓ               ｔｏ               ｙｏｕｒ               ｌｉｆｅ.

Ｐｌａｃｅ               ａ               ｐｉｃｔｕｒｅ               ｏｆ               ａｎ               ａｄ               ｆｏｒ               ａ               ｔｒｏｐｉｃａｌ               ｖａｃａｔｉｏｎ,               ｏｒ               ａ               ｐｉｃｔｕｒｅ               ｏｆ               ｙｏｕｒ               ｄｒｅａｍ               ｃａｒ,               ｏｎ               ｔｈｅ               ｒｅｆｒｉｇｅｒａｔｏｒ.

Ｔｈｅｓｅ               ｗｉｌｌ               ｓｅｒｖｅ               ａｓ               ａ               ｒｅｍｉｎｄｅｒ               ｏｆ               ｔｈｅ               ｔｈｉｎｇｓ               ｔｈａｔ               ｙｏｕ'ｌｌ               ｂｅ               ａｂｌｅ               ｔｏ               ｅａｓｉｌｙ               ｓａｖｅ               ｆｏｒ               ｖｅｒｙ               ｑｕｉｃｋｌｙ               ｗｈｅｎ               ｙｏｕ               ｄｏｎ'ｔ               ｈａｖｅ               ｔｏ               ｓｅｎｄ               ｓｕｃｈ               ａ               ｌａｒｇｅ               ｃｈｕｎｋ               ｏｆ               ｙｏｕｒ               ｐａｙｃｈｅｃｋ               ｔｏ               ｔｈｅ               ｃｒｅｄｉｔ               ｃａｒｄ               ｃｏｍｐａｎｉｅｓ.
               Ｍｏｓｔ               ｉｍｐｏｒｔａｎｔｌｙ,               ｎｅｖｅｒ               ｇｉｖｅ               ｕｐ.

Ｔｈｅｒｅ               ｍａｙ               ｃｏｍｅ               ａ               ｔｉｍｅ               ｗｈｅｎ               ｔｈｅ               ｃｒｅｄｉｔ               ｃａｒｄ               ｃｏｍｐａｎｙ               ｔｒｉｅｓ               ｓｏｍｅｔｈｉｎｇ               ｕｎｄｅｒｈａｎｄｅｄ               ｔｏ               ｃｈａｒｇｅ               ｙｏｕ               ｆｉｎａｎｃｅ               ｆｅｅｓ.

Ａｌｗａｙｓ               ｃａｌｌ               ａｎｄ               ｃｏｍｐｌａｉｎ.

Ａｎｄ               ｉｆ               ｔｈｅｙ               ｄｏｎ'ｔ               ｒｅｍｏｖｅ               ｔｈｅ               ｃｈａｒｇｅ,               ｄｏ               ａ               ｂａｌａｎｃｅ               ｔｒａｎｓｆｅｒ               ｔｏ               ａｎｏｔｈｅｒ               ｃｒｅｄｉｔ               ｃａｒｄ,               ｔａｋｉｎｇ               ａｄｖａｎｔａｇｅ               ｏｆ               ａ               ｌｏｗ               ｆｉｘｅｄ               ｒａｔｅ               ｔｒａｎｓｆｅｒ               ｏｆｆｅｒ               (ｍａｋｅ               ｓｕｒｅ               ｔｈｅ               ｔｒａｎｓｆｅｒ               ｆｅｅ               ｈａｓ               ａ               ｍａｘｉｍｕｍ               ｌｉｍｉｔ.)               Ｒｅｍａｉｎ               ｍｉｎｄｆｕｌ               ｏｆ               ｙｏｕｒ               ｉｎｔｅｒｅｓｔ               ｒａｔｅｓ,               ａｎｄ               ｎｅｖｅｒ               ｌｅｔ               ｔｈｅｍ               ｉｎｃｒｅａｓｅ               ｏｎ               ｙｏｕ.
               Ｓｔａｙｉｎｇ               ｍｉｎｄｆｕｌ               ｏｆ               ｙｏｕｒ               ｄｅｂｔ,               ａｎｄ               ｗｏｒｋｉｎｇ               ｈａｒｄ               ｔｏ               ｃｏｍｐｌｅｔｅｌｙ               ｗｉｐｅ               ｏｕｔ               ｙｏｕｒ               ｄｅｂｔ               ｆｏｒ               ｇｏｏｄ,               ｗｉｌｌ               ｐａｙ               ｏｆｆ               ｉｎ               ｔｈｅ               ｌｏｎｇ               ｒｕｎ               ｉｎ               ｗａｙｓ               ｔｈａｔ               ｙｏｕ'ｖｅ               ｎｅｖｅｒ               ｉｍａｇｉｎｅｄ.

Ａ               ｄｅｂｔ               ｆｒｅｅ               ｌｉｆｅ               ｄｏｅｓｎ'ｔ               ｈａｖｅ               ｔｏ               ｂｅ               ｊｕｓｔ               ａ               ｐｉｐｅ               ｄｒｅａｍ.

Ｉｔ               ｃａｎ               ｂｅ               ａ               ｒｅａｌｉｔｙ,               ａｎｄ               ｆａｒ               ｍｏｒｅ               ｑｕｉｃｋｌｙ               ｔｈａｎ               ｙｏｕ               ｅｖｅｒ               ｔｈｏｕｇｈｔ               ｐｏｓｓｉｂｌｅ.

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Were Debt Free - Blog Homepage Results

Crockpot Cruise-My Journey to Being Debt FreebyKiddoKare1

http://crockpotcruise.blogspot.com/

I'm a middle-aged woman determined to get out of debt. My husband and I are going through Financial Peace University (again!) through our church. As Dave Ramsey ...

Need to be debt freebyJan

http://needtobedebtfree.blogspot.com/

Need to be Debt Free? A personal finance blog. Eliminate debt. Save Money & Build Wealth

Be Weird...Be Debt Free 4everbyKevin Surbaugh

http://debtfree4ever.blogspot.com/

.... He lays out his successes and mistakes to become Debt Free. It can't be done over night. Since moving to Austin, TX he has began...

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