Debt is not always bad, may be to borrow money is unavoidable for most of us, but don't ever let yourself to become enslaved to debt. When we have debt and we don't have any money left to pay, we fall into trouble. Are you one of those caught in this debt trap? What can you do to break free?
Here are seven ways you can do to free yourself from debt addiction:
Set your mind that debt may bring you into unpleasant condition.
Today's world is structured to seduce us into the fantasy of promised rewards through debt. If we take the debt, we have to be sure that we will have money in the due time to pay the debt. If you don't have the money in the due time, you will be worried. If you are constantly worried about paying bills, you cannot be free. So think the consequence if you cannot pay your debt in the due time, and don't take the debt. Debt addictions often have roots in emotional problems. Materialism will not satisfy or bring inner peace because true happiness doesn't come from having more stuff. So bear in your mind about the debt consequence and release yourself from debt.
Equip yourself with good knowledge
To win a battle and war need techniques, strategies and knowledge. To win ourselves from debt habit we have to learn things such us: how to overcoming debt, how to budget, how to write out a plan of financial goals, both for the short term (the next year) and long term (the next five years or more). Start saving now. Study, think about and be creative in finding ways to save. Learn to place priorities on real needs, not fantasies or desires. The good knowledge should have a victory goal to eliminate all debt. Have a firm timeline.
Change your lifestyle
I pay attention about six matters that cause us into financial problem. You could read about the six matters here.
One of the six matters is consumptive behaviour. Start from today we have to change our lifestyle if we want to be free from financial problem, for example start from today we make coffee at home in our own coffee pot instead of buying an expensive cup of coffee in a coffee shop. Or cook our meal ourselves at home instead of having breakfast in an expensive restaurant.
Build good habits that don't cost anything
Make a list of 10 to 20 things you can do each month that don't cost anything. For example you do sport around your own house instead of joining luxury fitness club. Instead of visiting mall, you visit an old folks home. Learn to be a better husband, wife, parent, friend or neighbour. Help other people with your words or give them your smile. You will make this world better, and you will get true happiness in your heart.
Sell your asset and pay your debt
To get relief, take a look at all existing payments and consider selling anything associated with a big payment. Look at all your outgoing expenses and be totally honest. If you are making payments on anything you could sell to get out of debt, sell it now. Perhaps you will learn to forget a temporary pleasure you obtain if you have the stuff, but by selling it you will set yourself free from debt trouble.
Resist the culture that waste money
I don't know how it is in other place; in my country there are cultures like burial ceremony or luxurious wedding banquet that need a lot of money. If we don't have the money, we will have debt. It is difficult to not do the culture like that as those customs have been done for hundred years, but to avoid debt; we have to learn to say no and don't listen other people's opinion.
In the other hand, materialism is the core of the debt culture, and it motivates many people's lifestyle choices. It is all caused by human nature, which is so susceptible to lust. The love of materialism does not produce happiness, no matter what all the advertisements say. So even it's hard, reject the culture, and turn from all its lies.
Pursue the true values
Your real contentment comes from building your character, achieving worthy goals, having rich and rewarding relationships and thanks God for the things you posses. You will be happy when people love you because you have given to them, been a friend, helped, loved and shown by example that you care. You may not have those luxurious things but you have true spiritual happiness in your heart.
