Figure out how to get out of debt with these steps, and start living the better life you dream about. The #yearofno technique is what you need to succeed this time!
Have you ever tried a “get out of debt plan” that just didn’t seem quite right?
Most of them work great on paper.
But they don’t always pan out when the real world sets in and throws you for a loop (one you could never have anticipated).
That’s why you need a better plan. One that works even when nothing else seems to be going your way.
It took some time to work out the kinks in this plan, but our family finally figured out the right tricks. Things that let us pay off thousands (and thousands) of dollars in credit card debt.
While raising 5 kids.
On one income.
Today I’m gonna share those tricks with you. I know that this debt free plan can work for you, too.
(Unlike those other perfect on paper plans.)
Because the last thing I want you to do is quit before you even get started.
Where Do I Start To Get Out of Debt?
The very first thing you need is a good “why”.
Like Curly from City Slickers, I can’t tell you your why. Only you know that.
But you need to figure it out, because it’s what you’ll cling to for months (or years) while you pay off debt.
Before you click play…language warning!
If this “why” isn’t amazing and emotional, you might as well forget about getting out of debt. So dig deep and figure out why your family needs to escape credit cards, car payments, student loans, or whatever bills you hope to lose.
Your why can be big or small, but it must be significant to you.
- So your kids don’t repeat your mistakes.
- To take that dream vacation
- Because you want to move to a better home.
- You want to stop being afraid to check the mail.
- So sleep becomes your friend again.
Once you know your why, cling to it. Make it your mantra.
Put up a collage next to your bed so you start and end your day with a new life on your mind.
The Best Way to Pay Off Debt
Now that you know your why, figure out your how. What debts do you have?
If you aren’t sure exactly what money you owe, follow the same steps I took when I learned how to find out all my debts.
Write down all of them, and pay attention to how they make you feel. You’ll need passion to get you through the first pay off.
Which debt makes you feel the strongest emotions? Maybe there’s one bill that makes you angry. Or maybe a small balance makes you feel confident that you could get rid of it quickly.
If you’re analytical, you might be most encouraged by killing the payment with the highest interest rate.
Tackling the highest interest rate first makes the most sense mathematically. But if you don’t feel passionate about paying that debt, you’ll quit before you really begin.
So in the long run, it’s most important to choose the card with the strongest mental win for yourself. You’ll need that emotional high to power you through.
We chose to pay the biggest debt first, because we knew that if we could get rid of that beast we could do anything. This is the “king of the world” option.
How Do I Get Out of Debt With No Money?
First of all, most of us have more money than we think. If you spend money at a drive thru, or on magazines, potato chips, or fancy clothing, then you have money to pay off debt.
Our favorite free tool (that’s perfect for catching your extra spending habits) is Personal Capital. You’ll be able to see at a glance when you start to overspend on one of your budget categories.
It’s perfect for people who just don’t have time to watch every penny.
Sign up for a free Personal Capital account!
#YearofNo
Embrace a #yearofno. This motto carried us through two years of debt payment, and it can change everything about your spending habits.
Don’t confuse the #yearofno with a spending freeze. Sure, you can challenge yourself to a spending freeze for a week or even a month.
But most people just hold their breath through the freeze and buy the things they wanted once the freeze is over.
That does nothing but delay spending.
Instead, #yearofno makes lasting changes. It’s all about knowing the difference between need and want.
Our family refused to buy any extras at all for an entire year. That meant no book fairs, no fast food, no drinks from the concession stand, no replacement furniture, nothing. We forced ourselves to use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.
A #yearofno will retrain your brain. It’s as easy as this: the answer to any spending starts with a strong no. To actually spend the money, you’ll have to convince yourself that there is no other way around it.
- Is this purchase a requirement for life or good health? (Food, shelter, necessary clothing)
- Will putting off this purchase require us to spend more than double or triple the cost in the long run? (Home and car repairs and maintenance)
- Is this a once in a lifetime opportunity that I can pay cash for? (Events for family members)
Ask yourself hard questions. If you have to speak more than one simple sentence to justify a purchase, you don’t need it.
Work for It
If you’ve already been living this way and you still have no money to pay off debt, you’ll need to get a second job. The good news about taking on extra work is that you’ll have even less time for spending money!
If you have internet access at home, you can try things like transcription and evaluating search engines. If not, then consider starting your own house cleaning business.
Or get a job as a cashier at a local business. You might even try passing out samples on the weekend.
How Do I Get Out of Debt Fast?
Getting out of debt fast will require a lot of extra work on your part. If you are anxious to get out of debt right away, sell everything you own that isn’t essential to living a good, healthy life.
If your car payment is too high, then save up (#yearofno) or work side jobs until you can pay the difference between what it’s worth and what you owe.
Sell the car and buy a more reasonable vehicle.
To earn extra money quickly, think of dirty jobs that others don’t want to do. Mike Rowe’s advice is spot on, whether you’re looking for work that pays better or just want to get a raise or promotion doing what you already love.
Remember that if you’ve been “charging it” for years, there’s no magic bullet for getting out of debt quickly. But if you start today, you’ll be finished that much sooner.
One Last Thing
Pulling together an emergency fund when you should be spending every extra dollar on debt feels counterproductive. But here’s why it isn’t.
At the same time you’re paying off debt, you need to teach yourself how to live without credit cards.
Your car doesn’t care that you’re paying off debt. It’s going to break down anyway.
Your washer doesn’t care about your goals. It’s going to fritz out when you least expect it.
Having a small emergency fund will teach you how to rely on yourself when you need to buy something unexpected.
You’ll need the confidence boost you’ll get from saying things like, “Hey! I paid for that repair myself!”
Use my 52 week money challenge to help you pull together $1,000. But instead of taking 52 weeks, challenge yourself to find those bits of money in the shortest time period possible. Then you can start your debt payments ASAP.
That’s How To Get Out of Debt!
Getting yourself out of debt is important, so don’t let someone else do it for you. Not only will you get the benefit of fewer bills, but you’ll also give yourself a PhD in Money Management. That will serve you for a lifetime.
Need a little boost to get you started? Join the 30 Day Challenge!
Have you successfully paid off debt? How did you do it?
I'm Jamie, and I believe that you can build your savings, even when life is frustrating. 
“Debt is the “loading” bar that will never let you see the entire video. If you’re tired of waiting for life to get to the good part, you have to learn how to get out of debt.”
Perhaps the best explanation I’ve ever read on why it’s critical to get out of debt. Thank you, Jamie. And your #yearofno strategy is pretty awesome too. Find your why, follow the three #yearofno spending rules, and crush your debt. I love it.
Wow, thank you so much! I’m living it, so I know that’s exactly how debt feels. The #yearofno has been effective for us, and I hope it helps others, too!
That is one of the best posts I have read to pay off debt or to keep out of debt. Don’t buy what you don’t need. Use your stuff until it wears out. Don’t always being looking to upgrade to the newest thing that marketers are promoting. Don’t try to never spend because that will just lead to a bindge. Find a healthy balance and learn how to spend wisely.
Exactly! Our #yearofno has certainly taught us what’s most important in life.
Great post, Jamie! I completely agree that reducing debt takes passion. We’re passionate about debt reduction because we’re so tired of living with that weight on our shoulders. It’s holding us back. Plus, we’d love to be able to buy our own home.
I’ve found that my anger and frustration over living in the shadow of debt has gotten me over a few very difficult months when we were just sick and tired of the whole fight. I know you’ll get that home!
This is a really great post, Jamie! I’ve been doing an informal “6 months of no” for the last six months and… I’m actually a lot happier because of it! Is that weird? I’m really happy I’ve actually been able to save more and, sure, I don’t go out with friends as much as I did before, but I have SAVINGS at the end of the month! It’s a miracle! 🙂
A year of no would be difficult but I think a year of concentrated, informed no is good. I won’t be able to say no to everything (nor would I want to!) but making an informed no based on my budget is definitely possible 🙂
I found that the entire solid year of no reset us. Our second year hasn’t been as strict as the first year, but the new mindset we have makes it a lot easier.
I love the idea of your #yearofno. You’re absolutely right that you need to retrain your brain to make lasting changes. Even just starting to ask yourself questions each time you go to spend can help you to focus on your needs rather than your wants. And you’ve provided a great example to inspire others to get out of debt.
Thank you! It’s definitely made a lasting change in our family.
Nice job getting on Rockstar Finance, Jamie! Solid article!
Thank you!