15 Tips to Pay Down Debt

When we first got married, I told Jordan that I was the Nazi of his wallet. Always spoiling his (spending) fun. These are a few mentalities that helped us pay off $90,000 worth of debt in about 2.5 years:

1. Think of the money you're earning as not your money...b/c it's really not your money. You spent your money, and now you're in debt to someone else (either student loans, mortgage, credit cards, etc). Get out of debt as fast as you can.
2. If you don't follow a budget, make one. 
3. If you have "extra" money at the end of the month, that doesn't mean you should go shopping or go out to dinner...put that money towards your debt. The more "extra" money you pay on your debt, the more money you're putting towards the principle amount (which is really how you get out of debt - by paying off the principle and not just the interest).
4. It's not your money. Pay off debt as fast as you can.
5. Always ask yourself, is this a want or a need?
6. Choose free entertainment.
7. It's not your money. Pay off debt as fast as you can.
8. Drive your car till it dies. You don't need that new car right now. 
9. It's not your money. Pay off debt as fast as you can.
10. At the grocery store, shop (and cook from) the sales ads. You don't need to eat out all the time.
11. It's not your money. Pay off debt as fast as you can.
12. You don't need to be like everyone else. Just because your friends can afford x, y, z, doesn't mean you can. 
13. Every dollar counts. Yes, the $10 frozen pizza probably tastes better than the $2 one...but does it taste that much better? If you buy 10 frozen pizzas, that's either $100 or $20. How would you rather spend your money? (After you're out of debt, eat as many $10 pizzas you want.)
14. It's not your money. Pay off debt as fast as you can.
15. Keep your eye on the prize. Paying off debt isn't easy, and it's not fun. But it is worth it. You will be able to do so much more when you're out of debt. 

We're not out of debt yet, either, and so the battle continues for us. Take control of your debt. Don't let your debt control you. If we can do it, you can do it, too.