Debt can be a heavy burden, weighing you down and making it difficult to achieve your financial goals. But the first step towards getting debt free is understanding where you stand.
Take some time to gather all your financial documents, including credit card statements, loan papers, and bank account information. Make a list of all your debts, including the balance, interest rate, and minimum payment due each month.
Once you have a clear picture of your debts, it's time to create a budget. This will help you understand where your money is going and identify areas where you can cut back.
Start by tracking your income and expenses for a month. Write down every single transaction, no matter how small. Then, categorize your expenses into needs (housing, food, utilities) and wants (entertainment, hobbies).
Now that you have a clear understanding of your debts and a solid budget in place, it's time to start making progress towards getting debt free.
Consider consolidating your debts into a single loan with a lower interest rate. You can also try the snowball method, where you pay off smaller debts first to build momentum.