You're Working On Getting Out Of Debt, But Will You Stay Out?

This may come as a surprise to you, but getting yourself out of debt doesn't end after you've worked hard to eliminate the debt.

The other day, I wrote a post about using the Debt Stacking Method to lower debt. Whether you use that method or debt consolidation, debt relief, etc, to eliminate debt from your life, the struggle is only beginning for you.

Why do I say that? Let me ask you a question that will make my point here very clear:

What do you think most people do with all those
open lines of credit after getting out of debt?
That's right! They start using their credit cards all over again until they're back in the same trouble they just eliminated.

My experience is that it takes great discipline to get out of debt. But, once you eliminate debt, it takes extraordinary discipline to stay out of debt. You need to develop a mindset that you just won't accept living as a slave to credit.

You must develop a "debt free living" mindset.
I can only suggest this choice for you. Only you can make the decision. Being in debt, getting out of debt and staying out are all simply results that happen following specific decisions by you.

I believe people have been brainwashed over the years that debt is just a part of life. Well, it's not if you choose to get rid of it and stay devoted to keeping this financial poison out of your life.

OK, no matter where you are in your efforts to eliminate your debt, you need to adopt the debt free living mindset once you're out of debt.

The simplest way to avoid credit cards is to stop using them.

Granted, there are certain purchases in our society that require a credit card. Paying the balance each month as opposed to leaving a balance is the responsible way to use these cards, though.

Does that mean you might have to cut back your spending? You bet! But it means that you won't overspend. Too many people have gotten used to spending more than they have and the credit card companies love this. They get to make a lot of money on the interest.

If you can't afford an item, you can't afford to enslave yourself with future card payments. It may feel good to think that you can buy whatever you want, but if you need your card to make it happen, most likely you're getting in over your head.

Start thinking in terms of cash. If you don't have the cash, stay away from the purchase! If you can't think this way and stay disciplined, there's not much anyone can do for you.

Think of it this way. If you've gotten yourself out of debt, what are you going to do with all that money you used to spend on servicing your old bills every month? Are you going to start building some cash reserves with it to take care of any future emergencies? Or are you going to waste it?

Again, questions only you can answer. Whether you decide to think seriously about these questions or not, ultimately, your actions will provide the answers. What will you do the next time you're looking in the store at that item you know is beyond reach right now? Will you patiently save towards it or impatiently slap it on that credit card you've paid off?

My hope is that you'll remember the pain and work it took you to get out of debt and you'll make the wise choice. Treat the credit cards as the enemy to your financial abundance. They enslaved you once. Don't let it happen again.

Adopt a new "debt free living" attitude and find inner peace when it comes to your personal finances.

Change your life,

Matt


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