Getting out of debt starts with an honest assessment of your debt load. Dig out those credit card statements and bills, and find out exactly where you stand with all of your creditors. You can use the Debt Load Worksheet to make the job a bit easier.
Tips:
- For an accurate picture of your debt load, be sure to include credit cards, car loans, student loans, home equity loans, personal loans, loans from friends and family, medical bills and any other type of debt that you might carry
- Don’t include your mortgage on the worksheet. It’s an acceptable debt, and the last one that you’ll want to pay off
- List the minimum payments due on all of your accounts, even if you’re accustomed to paying more than this amount. You can build in extra payments later
- Track the progress of your debt pay off by completing this form every quarter – seeing that balance go down can be highly motivating
What Do I Do Next?
Once you’ve completed the Debt Load Worksheet it’s time to start planning how you’re going to make all of that debt vanish. Refer to "How to Get Rid of Credit Cards” for a step-by-step guide to getting out of debt.
