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 DebtFree StressFree

The word debt can bring to mind financial problems. Just saying the word can be stressful. I am in debt like most Americans, but I don’t have the stress of the debt. I know it exists with my bills, but I don’t let it stress me out. It doesn’t have to stress you out ither.

 The money I receive from my job can only go so far. This is what I do:

• I look at the due dates of each bill and find out when my next pay period is. I ask myself what can I pay with the money I have right now. I pay the utilities first because I have to see and have heat (lights and electricity) and I need phone/internet (because I work from home). If I cannot pay the entire amount I find out what I can pay which means the minimum balance. If I can afford it, I pay over the minimum balance As I get money, I apply it to each bill. I don’t want until the due date of the bill to pay. I just chip away at it. When the bill due date comes, it is small enough for me to handle. When I get paid I divide that money up (minus groceries) and pay what I can on each bill.
•  I call the company the bill is with and explain my situation. The companies were willing to work with me. They offered to put me on a payment plan. They asked me what I was able to pay. As long as you are sending something, the company knows you are making an effort (good faith effort) to pay them.
• I buy what I need not what I want. I need food to eat. I do not need to pay for a program on a cable channel. I enjoy watching  certain programs on cable and I enjoy having cable, but I did not need it to survive. Another example, I enjoy going out to dinner or to the casino but I don’t need to do those things. I put things in perspective, need over want. I had to change the way I thought, changed my habits. Now I play board games with friends and family, solitaire, free apps on my cellphone/computer, etc.
• I write my expenses down. I created a spreadsheet, showing I can keep track of things. I also have a piggy bank to put loose change in. After a few weeks I had $10, $20, $30 etc.

It is possible to get yourself out of debt. It is just a matter of changing some things in your life. You have to be strong, it takes will power, but you can do it. Try an experiment for a week or two. Write down what you take home in your pay check, then write down all of your expenses. Which ones are needs, which ones are wants.  See how much money you have saved.

I discovered something that surprised me. I could save money and buy stock. I always wanted to buy stock but did not think I could afford it. I believed a person had to have a certain amount of money buy stock with. That is not the case. I discovered the Stash App.

I invested in several stock with just $5. Yes, that is right. I put $1 on each stock. I did not think it was possible. This was just amazing to me. I feel like I am a part of a select group of people. Stash also offers banking services, debit card, retirement, life insurance and helpful articles.  When you buy something at one of their participating stores, like Amazon, you get stock for it.  This is one thing you can use to save money, they are others on the internet.

By using the steps I described above, I am not stressed out about my debt. It is manageable. I am stress free and I know I will be debtfree.

   

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