Are You in Debt? Follow These Easy Steps to Financial Freedom

Are you in a financial bind? Are you having difficulty paying off your credit card debt in full each month? Are you overwhelmed by the endless expenses, collection calls, and payment demands facing you?

If you need relief from late fees, high interest rates, and overwhelming financial obligations, you are someone who will benefit from a debt management program.

Debt management programs help you manage your debt by consolidating your accounts into one manageable monthly payment. As a result, you’ll be able to pay your bills on time and will no longer face late fees and over-limit charges. You’ll enjoy reduced interest and an improved credit score, saving you thousands.

Thanks to credit counseling, debt management programs also teach you how to budget, take every expense into account, and increase financial literacy.

Paying down excessive debt is difficult — but it isn’t impossible. It simply requires determination, self-discipline, and perseverance. As Robert J. Shiller once said, “Finance is not merely about making money. It's about achieving our deep goals and protecting the fruits of our labor. It's about stewardship and, therefore, about achieving the good society.”

Good money management begins at home. One way to begin making smart financial decisions is keeping track of every expense, from small items like toothpaste and coffee to large-scale expenses like medical bills and mortgage payments.

This Cash Spending Work Sheet helps you easily track your cash spending as you go about your day. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to save small amounts here and there when you're attuned to where you’re spending your money. Once you’ve begun tracking and controlling your cash spending for four weeks or more, you’re on the right track to financial success.

It’s also important to list your monthly expenses — and this Monthly Expense Work Sheet helps you do just that. Take out your check register and list the checks for the entire month into the categories provided, from housing and auto to childcare and food. As you go through the process of listing your checks, you will begin to see patterns in your spending habits and gain a realistic view of your monthly expenses.

Finally, it’s important to formulate a spending plan. Using the Income Versus Expense Summary, record the amount of your take-home pay in the space provided and then transfer the totals from the Monthly Expense Work Sheet. Finally, subtract the “Total Expenses” from the “Total Income.” The answer to this simple equation gives you the difference between what you make and what you spend.

While this number may seem alarming, it’s a key step working towards financial freedom. And it’s okay to seek professional help. A reliable debt management program can save you thousands — and give you the tools and knowledge necessary to pay off debt. Additionally, a good program can negotiate with your creditors to reduce or even eliminate interest and finance charges.

Stephanie, a customer who used Trinity Debt Management, shares how proactively tackling debt forever changed her life.

“I had a lot of credit card debt and I couldn’t pay my bills,” she said. “I was feeling so bad, I got a point where I needed some help. So, I reached out and contacted Trinity. They were able to take all of my different payments and put them all together. And they were actually able to work with my creditors. I’ve been able to pay off close to $15,000 in the last 18 months.”

“My story begins with debt — a lot of debt, credit card debt,” shared another customer who used Trinity Debt Management. “When I first called, I was a little embarrassed and kind of ashamed and I looked at the numbers and I saw how quickly that astronomical debt that was in my life would go away. What I would tell other people — please, pick up the phone and call Trinity. Just let them put together a program and see how affordable and easy it is to pay off your debt.”

Good money management is key to long-term financial freedom, and it’s possible to spend your life free from debt. Remember to plan for the future by saving wherever possible and making smart decisions about where you spend your money. It may take work — and will require self-control — but it will be worth it in the end.

To take the first step toward financial freedom, visit Trinity Debt Management or call 1-800-741-8205.