If you’ve read my book, you know that being financially stable isn’t just about paying off credit cards (because most people will just charge them back up again). Not only do I write about who you need to be, but I also give techniques to pay down debt and get control of your money all around.
But I’m no dummy – I know that everyone listens to Oprah – after all, she is a pretty awesome lady! So, I came across this step-by-step article, Oprah’s Debt Diet Action Plan, and wanted to bring it to your attention.
I really do care about you – and whether you take my advice or someone else’s, I just want to make sure you have the information and tools you need to create a better life.
Below is an overview of Oprah’s Debt Diet Action Plan, but I recommend that you visit the official page so you can click beyond the summary and get more useful information and downloadable material.
PHASE 1
Give yourself one month to complete these steps—you can do one a week!
Step 1: How much debt do you really have?
It’s time to get real about your debt. Do you know how much living with debt is costing you?
Step 2: Track your spending and find extra money to pay down debt
Time to cut back on the extras. Use David Bach’s Latte Factor® calculator to find big savings where you least expect them! It is time to start paying you.
Step 3: Learn to play the credit card game
Think $10 a day won’t make a big difference in your debt? Think again! With this plan you can pay off $8,000 in credit card debt in just 3 years.
Step 4: Stop spending
Making small changes can help in a big way. Use these tricks to help you spend less and save more.
PHASE 2
In the second phase of the Debt Diet, the steps become more detailed and have more long-term goals.
Step 5: Create a monthly spending plan
Use the monthly spending plan worksheet and calculator to create a budget that you can stick to—and save with—every paycheck.
Step 6: Take big steps to grow your income
Whether it is selling your assets or getting a second job, sometimes you have to make big choices to get out of debt.
Step 7: Prioritize your debts and raise your credit score
Confused about which debts to pay off first? Here’s a plan to pay down your debt while actually improving your credit score!
Step 8: Understand your spending issues…and save!
Take this quiz and get to the heart of why you spend. Then, find out how to resist temptation and build an emergency fund.
