5 Clever Ways to Get Rid of Debt for Good

Written By Jeff Hindenach
Last updated February 2, 2020

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Credit
September 25, 2015

Simple. Thrifty. Living.

The average American family has a credit card debt of $7,327. Not only is this debt a burden, it means that thousands of dollars are wasted on interest payments. With so much conflicting advice about debt, it can be tough to sort the financial gems from the rough. Read on for five effective, no-nonsense nuggets of wisdom that will help you to reduce and eliminate debt.

Attitude is everything when it comes to debt. If you view your situation as never-ending or impossible to get out of, it’s going to be tough to solve your debt problems. It’s time to step up, own your debt and know that millions of people have gotten out of debt and so can you.

Are you the type to throw away credit card bills before you open them? Does the thought of checking your balance fill you with fear? To eliminate debt, you need to know exactly where you stand with your finances. Luckily, there are hundreds of free tools, including software and smartphone apps, that make it easy to track where your money is going and what you owe.

Do you know what your credit card interest rates are now? You could be wasting money by paying unnecessarily high interest rates on loans or credit cards. A way around this is to transfer your credit card balance to a provider who offers 0 percent introductory interest rates. You can also consolidate your debt with a debt consolidation service like Accredited Debt Relief or National Debt Relief to help lower your interest rates. The best credit repair services can also help you raise your credit score, which could be a good tool in helping lower your interest rates.

Missed payments wreak havoc with your credit score and often incur extra fees. Stop this from happening by automating your payment schedule through direct debits or regular bank transfers. Review the amount you pay back on a regular basis so you can adjust it if your financial status changes.

Take note of these important factors and incorporate them into your financial tool kit today. By taking steps to get a grip on your debt, you will feel more positive in all areas of your life.

About the Author

Jeff Hindenach

Jeff Hindenach is the co-founder of Simple. Thrifty. Living. He graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism. He has a long history of financial journalism, with a background writing for newspapers such as the San Jose Mercury News and San Francisco Examiner, as well as writing on personal finance for The Huffington Post, New York Times, Business Insider, CNBC, Newsday and The Street. He believes in giving readers the tools they need to get out of debt.

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