From the article: Choose to be Debt Free
If you are debt free, share the story that got you there. If you have never been in debt talk about the choices and sacrifices you made to stay that way. If you have gotten out of debt, what did you do to get out? What's the most important change that you made to become debt free? Share Your Story
Got on a Plan
- It sounds silly, but I really wasn't paying attention to my money. One day I woke up and realized I had $8000.00 in credit card debt and another $8000.00 in car debt. Not to mention my student loans. Once I realized how much money I owed it scared me, and I sat down and worked out a payment plan and a budget. I found extra money to put towards the debt, and I was surprised at how quickly I was able to pay it off. Now I don't have to worry about my money anymore.
- —Guest Cyndi
Worked Really Hard
- When I first decided that I wanted to get out of debt, I avoided doing a lot of extra stuff to pay it off. I figured if I just stopped overspending it would go away on its own. I woke up about a year later and realized how much I was paying in interest each month. Then I went crazy. I sold the stuff I didn't need anymore. And I redid my budget. I but back on eating out and freed up an extra $300.00 a month. I did that for awhile, and after I paid off my first credit card, I decided I wanted to do it even faster. I took a second job and worked two extra nights a week for six months. I was able to pay off all of my credit card debt in that time.
- —Guest Paul
Avoiding Debt
- I put myself through college by working and with scholarships and managed to stay debt free. Since then I took out a small loan for my first car, so I could get to work. I paid it off in just under a year. For me debt free has meant that I'm just careful with my money. I don't buy anything until I can pay in cash. But the thing is that I can still get almost everything I need right away. I'm never really stressed about my money. I'm glad that I don't have debt.
- —Guest Debbie
