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Ask The Debt Free Diva

By Dee Dee Sung

Changing minds and dollars

Q: I'm fed up with the credit card debt that never seems to go away. I feel like my goal always seems to be around becoming debt free yet it feels like nothing ever changes. I live each month to the wire and still only manage to make minimum payments. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Can you shed any light?

A: The truth of the matter is that if you keep doing the same things over and over and expect different results, you'll set yourself up for failure. If you're up to your eyeballs in debt, making only minimum payments and continue to use your credit cards, nothing will change. I'm a strong believer that if you change your mind about your finances, you'll change your financial status. What does all this mean?
It means that when you're really committed to getting out of debt once and for all, you're going to have to change your money habits – specifically, how you spend and save. So many people find any excuse to spend money to numb any pain they may be feeling in their lives. Relationship splits, job losses, whatever situation has brought stress and anxiety can also bring the "urge to splurge," unfortunately to your own detriment.
However, it's one thing for me to say this is how it is – what's the solution?
1. Fess up to the fact that there's NO quick fix. Getting out of debt will take time and require that you exercise patience, discipline, sacrifice and commitment!
2. Understand that doing the same things and expecting different results is the definition of insanity – look at what negative habits around money you have that need to change? Better question: are you WILLING to do things differently?
3. Face reality. What I mean by this is that it's imperative that you tell the truth about exactly how much debt you have to pay off. It's easy to want to be vague – when you're specific and clear, you'll see the exact numbers on what you owe. It may not make you feel great, but once you get a handle on exactly where you're at, you'll feel a sense of empowerment like you never have before!
4. Make a plan and work that plan! Once you've decided that you're ready and willing to make some positive changes and you've listed exactly everything you owe and all the money you have coming in, you're ready to make an action plan for getting out of debt. Do you have a tax return coming in that could be used to pay down your debts? Also, restructure your life to minimize the triggers that cause you to spend money unnecessarily and pick a buddy who'll support your goal of being debt free.
The best way to lose weight is to go on a diet through a sensible eating plan. It's no different for getting out of debt. When you've made up your mind to go on a debt free diet, you're going to have to track every dollar you spend so it can go towards every dollar of debt you owe. Once you see your debt go down, you'll be invigorated to keep the momentum going.

Metro Detroit speaker, author and radio personality Dee Dee Sung is the founder of Debt Free Divas, Inc. with a mission to educate, entertain and inspire people in reinventing their relationship to money.

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Topics: Opinions
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