Eliminate Debt and Live Life

By Ted Batron

The faster we are able to eliminate our debt, the happier we will be. This seems like a pretty basic concept. But eliminating debt is sometimes easier said than done. Lets go over a few tips for getting rid of or drastically reducing credit card debt to make our lives easier.

When we carry a large number of credit cards, it is just human nature that we use them. When I was in the debt mode, I used to actually think to myself "wow, I have 50 thousand dollars in my pocket". That was a pretty destructive thought process. If you don't incur the debt, your better able to save for the future and have money ready when you need it. Change the thought process, and change the habits.

There are no friends in the credit card companies. Removing your money from your possession is their only goal. If that sounds a little harsh, the truth is that this is war, and for the most part, the companies that offer credit in a predatory fashion, and that includes all of them, are the enemy. And they are winning.

Remember, being a little short because you made a purchase of something that you wanted or needed is one thing. Being short, and having the credit card companies drown you in increasing debt for years to come is much worse.

Mortgages and auto loans are areas where we want the best interest rates. If your consumer debt is too high, both of these areas will be difficult. If our consumer debt is really high, debt elimination programs may be necessary before we even buy things like homes and cars.

If you can avoid debt altogether, you have really dodged a bullet. A convenience card, or an emergency card is fine. I keep it at home in my desk drawer. It is used for emergency car repair, maybe new tires or other items I can't avoid purchasing. If you can afford your emergency expense in cash, then you are still better off. Debt elimination is not quit as easy as just avoiding the debt in the first place.

Destroy your credit cards, except for the one with the lowest interest rate. Begin a repayment plan starting with your highest rate card. If you get an offer to transfer your balance to a new card at a lower interest rate, take it. But keep on paying off the card even if you have to work more or spend less. Whatever you do, don't use the card!

If you have 5 credit cards, make the minimum payment on 4 of them. Make a higher payment on the one with the highest interest rate. When that card is paid off, apply that payment to the next card. Remember, to pay off a card, you must pay higher than the minimum payment.

Some card companies offer zero interest on balance transfers. Be careful, make sure its not a limited time offer. But if you get one of these, take it. Transfer as much as you can to the lower interest rate card, and then just don't use the card! You can eliminate your debt fairly quickly at zero percent interest.

Just think about how much less stressed you will be after you have eliminated your debt.

Ted Batron is a financial expert who specializes in debt counseling and custom debt elimination plans. He has developed a short eCourse that's a great primer for those who are ready for credit card debt relief and want to learn how to negotiate, eliminate and settle credit card debt at a 30-70% discount and become debt free. If you would like to know more about Ted Batrons "5 Debt Settlement Secrets You Should Know" eCourse, visit http://www.No-Debt.net

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