Help For Debt Free Living
Most individuals will carry some amount of debt from the simple act of living. It is almost impossible unless you have no obligations such as a family to carry no debt from month-to-month. Technically even having a mortgage is an outstanding loan which must be paid every month so living debt free is next to impossible. In reality, a mortgage or car payment isn't really the type of debt most people struggle with. Help for debt free living is primarily in reference to not living beyond your means such as running up excessive credit card debt or eating out seven nights a week. Help is available for those individuals who are tired of having to deal with the stress of managing excessive debt you only need to know where to look.
At a certain point debt becomes so excessive it can actually become paralyzing and lead individuals to do nothing at all. The hope is that somehow the debt will magically resolve itself or go away but this normally doesn't work and specific actions need to be taken to get debt back under control. Managing debt is not a zero-sum game or an all or nothing endeavor. Debt free living is a series of small steps working with different organizations and individuals in getting the most out of limited resources.
First and foremost for getting on the road to debt free living is to educate yourself with the incredible amount of resources available on the Internet. Numerous organizations, many of which are nonprofit, offer tutorials and online education to help individuals make adjustments eliminate debt. One of the most popular and well-respected is the Consumer Credit Counseling Service also known as the CCCS. This organization has helped thousands of individuals with their creditors such as credit card companies and mortgage holders to renegotiate outstanding debt with better interest rates and more favorable repayment terms. There are other nonprofit credit counseling services available which offer similar programs and may be the best option for most individuals.
If you are uncomfortable or don't feel it necessary to work with an outside credit counseling service you can also visit a local library or community bookstore and see what publications are available on debt management. Debt free living as mentioned earlier isn't so much about sacrificing things that you enjoy or completely changing who you are but is more about education and making your money work for you instead of the other way around. If you have some financially savvy friends or relatives it might also make sense to confide in them your financial difficulties and ask for common sense advice on how they live debt free. You might be surprised what friend or relative might know and their level of success with managing debt. The key is to leave no stone unturned and take advice and information from many different resources and apply what you've learned to what works best for your financial situation.
There is significant help for debt free living available from many different areas. Don't feel looking for assistance in managing debt is something to be ashamed of or prideful about. Pride really does come before a fall as smart individuals will ask for help. When it comes to managing debt, almost everyone has had their brush with maxed out credit cards or getting in over their head. When you speak with others about getting advice don't worry about being judged because they have probably been in your shoes. Debt free living is more about managing resources and enjoying life but not enjoying it so much that purchases you make today haunt you in the future. Help is available, you only have to ask.
