Paying off debt is probably one of the hardest financial struggles you’ll ever face. It’s right up there with losing your job and not being able to pay all your bills. Why?
Because getting motivated to pay off debt (and staying out of debt) goes against what’s normal in our society. The normalcy of having debt is enough to keep you in debt for your entire life, and is even encouraged as a way to afford the “American Dream.”
So once you get over the initial decision to repay your debts, and you’ve created a solid game plan, the real work starts when you’re in the midst of putting your plan into action.
Here are a few tips and tricks to help you stay on track for the long haul.
1. Harness the Power of Good Peer Pressure
You might not have the luxury of leaning on your siblings or best friends for help while paying off debt, and in fact they might be your biggest sources of discouragement since they won’t understand why you’re “going against the grain.”
If this is the case, you can be sure there are lots of other places you can find good peer pressure to draw encouragement from. They come in the forms of:
- Personal Finance Blogs
- Private Forums
- Local Meetups
- Facebook Groups
- Twitter Chats
Thanks to the internet, there are endless ways to connect with people online who are going through similar situations like you — especially when it comes to long debt repayment.
2. Reward Yourself When You Reach Milestones
As you know, paying off debt involves a lot of hard work and sacrifice. So of course, it’s a big deal when you hit a financial milestone you’ve been working towards — like sending in a final payment on one of your credit cards.
When this happens, don’t be afraid to celebrate! Give yourself a little extra motivation in the form of a reward when you hit a big or small financial goal. Why not get a little foretaste of things to come when you’re completely out of debt, by going out to see a show or staying in and renting/streaming your favorite movie?
And it’s not just about feeling good in the present, studies have shown that small rewards encourage change in behavior, and that’s the key to staying motivated to reach long term goals.
3. Read Other People’s Debt Stories
Many writers and debt-haters document their journey to paying off debt on blogs and other public platforms as a way to keep themselves accountable. It’s another way to harness the power of good peer pressure.
It’s amazing what surrounding yourself with positive stories and personal experiences can do for your motivation. Take a look at what’s out there, remind yourself of why you’re doing this, and buckle down for the long haul.
