Debt Elimination Basics

What you Need to Know About Debt Elimination

Debt elimination is the process of knocking out loans so you stop paying interest. Sometimes borrowing is necessary. However, once you’re financially secure (or if you’re in over your head) you need to start on a debt elimination program. Find out how to go about debt elimination, and what you need to know before starting.

What is Debt Elimination?

The process of debt elimination involves reducing all of your loan balances to zero. By paying them off, you no longer have to make interest payments - money that you’ll never get back.

To visualize and see examples of debt elimination, get an understanding of amortization. Amortization happens when you knock out debts by paying principal and interest over time.

• How Amortization Works

Why Pursue Debt Elimination?

An instructor once asked me 'what is the cost of money?' In other words, how do you buy money? The answer: you pay more money.

Debt gives you access to money, but you have to return that money plus interest and fees. It may make sense to borrow. For example, many people cannot pay cash for a home, automobile, or college education. In some cases, debt opens doors.

When debt is weighing you down, it’s time to pursue debt elimination. If your debts are costing you more than you can afford, and ruining your chances of a secure financial future, you need to start a debt elimination program.

Debt Elimination Tactics

You may be able to accomplish debt elimination in a variety of ways. The best debt elimination programs are ones that you take charge of yourself:

• Practice frugal living
• Create a budget, and include debt elimination in the budget
• Use the snowball technique
• Work more or earn more
• Request loan modifications
• Investigate credit counseling options
• Consider debt consolidation programs

You can also hire debt elimination consultants. Be aware that the industry is notorious for scams and fraud. Do plenty of homework before you pay anybody to do debt elimination for you. You can see some common pitfalls on the page below:

• Dangers of Debt Elimination Programs