Debt Elimination: Getting Started, Staying Started

When it comes to debt elimination, one of the most difficult things for so many people is the act of getting started, Then, the next most difficult part is staying started.

The mere thought of sitting down and facing that pile of debt can be both daunting and completely overwhelming. 

But, the reason we encourage people to just get going, is that, “getting started” can usually be an ongoing and somewhat “progressive" process. 

In other words, your “fed up” right now might be revealed as mere “dabbling” a year from now, when you really start to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Once the “sick and tired” phase really kicks in, and it may “kick in” in phases, then the real progress begins.

Check out our free printable PDF FREE Debt Elimination Quick Start Guide.

Also, check out my totally free 30-day YouTube video course that goes along with this material:

Revealing Conversations

Ready, set, eliminate!

I recently spoke with single woman who started the 8 Steps, was super 'gung ho' at the beginning, but kept a couple of credit cards that she wasn’t ready to cut up just yet (insert eye roll). 

She had a great income, well into the six figures, but had zero discipline when it came to her finances. 

And, even though she was working Step 3 (paying all off all her debts from smallest to largest), she discovered that she was maxing out these cards and having to start all over again.

Finally Fed Up

So, she finally had her “eureka moment” and allowed herself to realize that she wasn’t yet as fed up as she thought she was.

She just had to reach that final phase of, “okay, I’m not REALLY serious about this yet”. 

And once she cut up those last two cards and swore off debt for good she was really cooking with gasoline.

That’s just an example of how getting started can be a prolonged process, really.

What About You?

The important thing is to recognize where you are, assess how much debt you have, commit to getting on a budget (which you WILL be horrible at for about 90 days), and getting that starter $1000 emergency fund together.

If you’re having trouble with strategy, motivation or even “how to”, that’s when being in a “Zero Debt Academy” class or having access to a coach can come in handy. 

The outside perspective on where you are and how to tackle the next steps can really be helpful in pushing you to that next phase.

So what’s keeping you from getting started? If you’ve started, what’s keeping you from completing the next step.

As always, we’re here to help you either get started, get unstuck, carry on or celebrate debt freedom!

Get Out Of Debt 

Here are some great resources to help you get started and stay started.

8 Steps To Erase Debt

5 Reasons You Should Start Getting Out Of Debt Now…

4 Timeless Principles For Absolutely Crushing Your Debt

Help! I’m Sick Of My Debt - But Don’t Know How To Get Started!

Debt Elimination Strategy - Bite Sizing The First 4 Steps

What To Do When You Can’t Pay Your Bills

7 Steps To Stop Paycheck To Paycheck Living

26 Proven Ways To Escape Your Paycheck To Paycheck Dumpster Fire

The Awful Truth About Debt Consolidation Services

Budgeting

The Forgotten Budgeting Step (aka "Budget Insurance")

How To Start Budgeting When You’re Terrible At It

4 Not-So-Obvious Reasons To Rewrite Your Budget Every Month

How To Budget For Irregular Expenses

What To Do With Extra Budget Money

11 Irregular Expenses You Probably Forgot To Budget

7 Budgeting Mistakes We All Make (And How To Correct Them)

You Have Full Permission To Be A Colossal Budgeting Nerd

4 Guaranteed Ways To Avoid Budget Burnout

Emergency Fund

How To Get Your $1000 Emergency Fund - Fast

What Exactly Is An Emergency Fund (And What It’s Not)

3 Crazy Surefire Ways To Quickly Get Your Emergency Fund

18 Expenses You Should Obliterate From Your Budget

Strategies To Stay On Track 

Track All Of Your Accounts In One Place - An Introduction To Personal Capital

When Is It Okay To Say “I Can’t Afford It"

6 Ways To Prevent Debt From Destroying Your Marriage

12 Things We Don’t Spend Money On

The Truth About Peer Pressure And Your Debt

How To Escape Debt With The Powerful Art Of Pressing Pause

5 Ways Being Debt Free Gives You An “Unfair Advantage”

How To Destroy Debt By Giving Yourself No Place To Hide

Are You “Sort Of” Getting Out Of Debt?

How To Crush “The 80/20 Rule” In Your Debt Elimination

Are You Caught Between “I’m Paying Off Debt” And “You Only Live Once”?

The Truth About Network Marketing When You’re Destroying Debt

9 Things We Do To Save Money Like “The Millionaire Next Door"

4 Must Have Tools To Secure Your Identity And Personal Data

Take Action And Don’t Quit

I want to implore you to take action and to continue taking action.

And part of that may be getting help and/or accountability when you need it. That’s what having access to a coach and to a community is all about.

Here are some resources to encourage you toward that: 

What Is Financial (Or Money)  Coaching

The 4 Most Popular Reasons People Seek Financial Coaching

$43K Paid Off!

The Incomparable Feeling Of Being Debt Free

To begin, just sign up for our free weekly newsletter below and get our free guide: “8 Steps To Erase Debt”.

Let’s do this! Here's the "8 Steps" resource in much more granular detail.

0. Stop All Retirement Investing (Until Step 4)

1. Build A Budget

2. Starter Emergency Fund of $1000

3. Eliminate Debts Smallest To Largest (a.k.a The Debt Snowball)

4. Full Emergency Fund of 3-6+ Months’ Expenses

5. Invest A Minimum of 15% Income Into Retirement Accounts (and increase savings rate to 50%+ if possible)

6. College Funding (if applicable)

7. Pay Off The Home Mortgage

8. Build Wealth, Serve, Be Ridiculously Generous And Go FI (Financial Independence)!

What To Do When You Can't Pay Your Bills - Dave Ramsey's "4 Walls"

18 Expenses You Should Obliterate From Your Budget

How To Start Budgeting When You're Terrible At It

8 Steps To Erase Debt - And Get Your Life Back

9 Things We Do To Save Money Like "The Millionaire Next Door"

7 Budgeting Mistakes We All Make (And How To Correct Them)

What Is Financial Coaching?

$43k Paid Off!

The 4 Most Popular Reasons People Seek Financial Coaching

When Is It Okay To Say "I Can't Afford It"

How To Get Your $1000 Emergency Fund - Fast!

12 Things We Don't Spend Money On

How To Be Financially Prepared For The Coming Recession

11 Irregular Expenses You Probably Forgot To Budget

4 Not-So-Obvious To Rewrite Your Budget Every Month

12 Things You Should Buy At The Dollar Store And 5 You Shouldn't

When You Need More Help