6 Tips to Be Debt Free in Less Than a Year

It can be hard to admit that you’re not financially responsible. You may have avoided checking your bank statements, tucked bills away without paying them, or made purchasing decisions that potentially weren’t in your best interest, and one day you get out of Debt.

Though you may not be ready to admit that you’re not in an ideal fiscal position, it has to be done if you wish to improve your circumstances. The hard truths below are worth coming to grips with, so you can enjoy a sound financial future. 

You’re Living Beyond Your Means

You may dream of being able to get out of debt, but by living beyond your means, it’s unlikely to become a reality any time soon. If you’re in debt, it’s a safe bet that your outgoings have been more than your incomings for some time. By how much remains to be seen. 

Take a look at your bank statements and compare your weekly wages to your expenses. If there is a significant discrepancy between what you earn and what you spend, something has to change. 

You Don’t Budget

Budgeting is a core part of having control over your finances. Without a budget, it’s too easy to find yourself without enough money to cover the essentials at the end of the working week. 

If you haven’t yet set up a budget, now might be the time to do so. This can be as simple as writing down your net income, tracking your spending, setting goals, and adjusting your habits once you’re paying attention.   

You Buy Too Many Luxury Items

Many people purchase luxury items to feel a sense of accomplishment or gain acceptance from their peers. Whatever your reasons, it can quickly become a significant financial burden. 

Look around your home and identify any luxury items you’ve purchased in recent months. If you’ve got mounting debt and many high-priced personal possessions, you may need to seek help from a budget adviser to change your path sooner rather than later. 

You Don’t Have Any Savings  

Financial experts recommend that each person should save enough money to cover at least three months of essential living costs. For many Americans, that’s a faraway reality. According to the Federal Reserve, 39% of Americans would not be able to cover a $400 emergency, let alone support themselves without an income. 

However, with financial planning and a few lifestyle alterations, that may change. A significant part of getting out of debt is realizing the changes you can make to strengthen your financial position. 

You’re Never Going to Own Your Own Home

With the right set of circumstances, hard work, and determination, many people can become homeowners. However, if you’ve got crippling debt and no plan for getting out of it, it may never be your reality. 

To realize you’ll likely never step onto the homeownership ladder can be a sobering enough thought for you to take action. 

You Haven’t Planned for the Future

Many people live paycheck to paycheck, and it’s not an ideal situation to be in. If this sounds like you, it’s worth being honest with yourself about whether you’ve really put any effort into planning for your future. If not, it may be time to swap your carefree attitude for one that balances the need to enjoy life’s pleasures with the need to be prepared for rainy days.

To finally realize that you spend too much, aren’t responsible, and haven’t planned for your future is a bitter pill to swallow. However, the power is now in your hands. What you do with that information can be a game-changer for the choices you make regarding your income going forward.