It's no surprise that the U.S. economy is on a sharp decline. Americans are struggling to stay afloat, sometimes having to work more than one job just to make ends meet. Now more than ever, it's imperative to learn how to get out – and stay out – of debt. The following three tips will help you get closer to your goal: a debt-free life. From prepaid credit cards, to debt consolidation, to freezing your credit cards (literally), you can break the chains of debt, starting today.1. Prioritize Your Debts
While you may believe all debt is bad debt and should be wiped out in one fell swoop, that's not always realistic. Focus on the credit cards that have the lowest interest rate and/or the lowest amount on them. If you knock out one at a time – beginning with the least amount – it will give you a feeling of accomplishment and motivate you to keep at it.
Keep in mind that some debt is considered beneficial, such as a mortgage (provided it's not upside-down) or home-equity loan. Tackle the credit cards first; try and consolidate them, if possible, with the one that has the lowest interest rate.
2. Use Prepaid Credit Cards & Prepaid Debit Cards
A relatively new concept, prepaid credit cards and debit cards are similar to traditional cards, but they help you remain within budget. Let's face it: Plastic is easy to ‘spend,' and the spending can get out of control when the limit is much higher than you can actually afford. Prepaid Debit Cards and credit cards allow you to make the same purchases you would with a standard ones, but you cannot spend more money than what's on the card.
Don't fall into the trap of spending money you don't have with credit cards. Look into prepaid credit cards and prepaid debit cards to help keep your spending in check.
3. Debt First, Savings Later
While a majority of Americans have debt of some sort, they also continue to put a little into savings. It may seem like creating a nest egg is the wise thing to do, but at the end of the day, debt can ruin your credit and your future. Of course, it's always important to invest into a retirement plan, but never put your debts owed on the back burner.
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