Debt Free Living

Is living debt free possible? So many people in todays society struggle with overwhelming amounts of debt. Our society has become one obsessed with more. More everything. Debt free living is certainly a goal for most, but is it possible?
To discuss debt free living, for the purposes of this article, I am not going to consider mortgages. Although it is a dream of mine personally to pay off my house and enjoy living without a mortgage, at this point in my life, its not going to happen. At least not for at least 10-15 more years. So the debt free living that I am going to be discussing in this article is becoming credit card debt free.

It sounds simple. If you can’t pay for it, don’t buy it. Thats how our parents lived as did their parents. And the advice to pay more then the minimum payments is great advice. But for some, making even the minimum payments is a struggle. How to pay more? I remember a friend of mine in college who got in over her head with credit card debt. She would use the availability of cash advances on her credit cards to make the payment. Or use one card to make the payment on the others. It is truly irresponsible to give students in college who are adjusting to life without the supervision of their parents, credit cards. Those who have little to know experience with credit coupled with full time schooling and perhaps part-time jobs have no business with credit cards. Speaking from experience, it is very easy to get in over your head very quickly. And difficult to get out. Debt free living or the lack thereof effects every aspect of your life. If you are overwhelmed with debt, there is little else you can think of. Debt free living seems like an unobtainable dream to most.

Debt free living. How to do it? As I struggle with debt myself, I have to ask myself. Is there a way out? Certainly not as easy one. If is comes right down to it, what is said most often in this case is most true. If you can’t pay for it, don’t buy it. Pay more then the minimum payment each month or you’ll never pay it off. Just take a deep breath and decide you don’t want to live your life this way anymore.

Debt free living is possible, but not easy. It takes hard work and determination. It is a goal of mine and I believe should be a goal of everyone. When I send in that last payment on that last credit card - I will have the best nights sleep EVER. And that day will come. I will experience debt free living before I am too old to enjoy it. We all should. Debt free living should be everyone’s goal. Or at least not getting into debt to begin with.

Jennie Crawford is the stay at home mom of two children. For more information on getting debt free, go to http://www.jenniecrawford.com/debtfreein3