So You Want To Tackle Your Debt Like a Pro…

FacebookTwitterPinterestEmailEmailEmailShare
Debt guide panel 1.

1. Take stock of your debt

List your debt in order of highest interest rate (ouch) to lowest interest rate (only slightly less ouch). Include ALL loans to be repaid. Yes, even those student loans from those three years in college when you thought you were destined to be a Beatles historian. (Don't worry about that… we've been there too!)

Debt guide panel 2.

2. Schedule your due dates

Call your creditors and set your payment due dates to a date every month when you know you'll have cash. While you're at it, take the opportunity to ask for a lower interest rate if you qualify. Tip: charming smiles don't translate through the phone but it never hurts.

Debt guide panel 3.

3. Start your avalanche

Optimize and focus your payments by paying minimums on each of your debts and sending extra money to the highest interest debt until it's paid off. Then, move on to the next one. By the way, this avalanche is ski-lodge optional.

Debt guide panel 4.

4. Automate and share the work

No need to tackle repayment all on your own. Use online tools like ReadyForZero or your online banking options to automate your payments. Less time spent scheduling payments means more time throwing parties! Or watching Hulu. In the perfect
world—both.

Debt guide panel 5.

Bonus Tip: Sell Your Lamps… or your unused blender or your old guitar. If you can increase your cash flow, you can apply the earnings to the highest interest loan. Plus—then you can check spring cleaning off your to-do list.

Illustrations courtesy of Ted Slampyak

This post was published by Ben, Writer and Content Strategist for ReadyForZero. ReadyForZero is a company that helps people get out of debt on their own with a simple and free online tool that can automate and track your debt paydown.

Story Continues