Debt Payoff Guides
Practical, step-by-step plans for paying off debt in real-world situations. Find the guide that matches where you are right now.
How to Avoid Going Back Into Debt
You worked hard to get debt-free. Here's how to stay that way by building habits, emergency funds, and spending systems that prevent backsliding.
Read moreHow to Choose the Right Debt Payoff Strategy
A decision framework for picking the debt payoff strategy that fits your personality, debt type, and financial situation. Not everyone needs the same plan.
Read moreDebt Payoff Plan: Your 12-Month Blueprint
A month-by-month debt payoff plan covering inventory, strategy selection, the motivation dip, and acceleration to debt freedom in 12 months.
Read moreHow to Get Out of Debt: A Complete Guide
A complete, step-by-step guide to getting out of debt. Covers auditing your debts, choosing a strategy, building a budget, finding extra money, and staying motivated.
Read moreHow to Pay Off $100,000 in Debt
A comprehensive plan for tackling $100K in debt. Covers strategy tiers for different debt types, professional help options, income maximization, and the marathon mindset needed for large debt payoff.
Read moreHow to Pay Off $10,000 in Debt
A concrete, step-by-step plan to eliminate $10,000 in debt with realistic timelines and math for different income levels and payment amounts.
Read moreHow to Pay Off $20,000 in Debt
A structured plan for paying off $20K in debt, with strategies for credit card debt, mixed debt, and when consolidation starts making real sense.
Read moreHow to Pay Off $30,000 in Debt
A realistic plan for paying off $30K in debt. Covers consolidation options, strategy selection for multiple high-rate debts, income optimization, and staying motivated through a multi-year payoff.
Read moreHow to Pay Off $50,000 in Debt
A comprehensive plan for tackling $50K in debt, covering the emotional overwhelm, when to get professional help, and strategies for large debt loads.
Read moreHow to Pay Off $5,000 in Debt
A focused plan to eliminate $5,000 in debt quickly. Includes timelines at different payment levels, balance transfer tactics, and specific ways to find extra money.
Read moreHow to Pay Off Credit Card Debt Fast
A step-by-step plan for eliminating credit card debt, from picking the right strategy to making extra payments that actually move the needle.
Read moreDebt Payoff After College: A Graduate's First Steps
A practical roadmap for recent graduates juggling student loans, credit card debt, and the transition to financial independence. No jargon, just steps.
Read moreHow to Pay Off Debt Before Buying a House
A practical guide to reducing debt before applying for a mortgage, including DTI targets, which debts to prioritize, and timeline planning.
Read moreHow to Pay Off Debt as a Couple
A complete guide to paying off debt together as a couple, from disclosure conversations to choosing a strategy and splitting payments fairly.
Read morePaying Off Debt After Divorce
A compassionate guide to managing and paying off debt after divorce, covering legal responsibility, joint accounts, credit rebuilding, and emotional recovery.
Read moreHow to Handle Debt During a Job Loss
A crisis guide for managing debt payments during unemployment, covering triage, hardship programs, forbearance, negotiation, and credit protection.
Read morePaying Off Debt in Your 40s and 50s: Catch-Up Strategies
Urgency-driven strategies for eliminating debt in midlife while protecting retirement savings, managing family obligations, and making smart trade-offs.
Read moreHow to Pay Off Debt on a Low Income
Realistic strategies for paying off debt when money is tight. No shame, no impossible advice — just practical steps that work on a limited budget.
Read morePaying Off Debt on One Income
Practical strategies for single-income households tackling debt, from budget optimization to choosing the right payoff method when cash flow is tight.
Read morePaying Off Debt as a Single Parent
A practical, empathetic guide to paying off debt as a single parent, covering tight budgets, time-saving automations, and programs that can help.
Read moreHow to Pay Off Debt While Saving for Retirement
The math and strategy behind balancing debt payoff with retirement savings. When to prioritize each, and how to do both without losing ground.
Read moreHow to Pay Off Medical Debt: A Complete Guide
Actionable steps for tackling medical debt, from finding billing errors and negotiating discounts to charity care, payment plans, and settlement options.
Read moreHow to Pay Off Student Loans Faster
A practical guide to accelerating student loan payoff, covering federal vs private loans, refinancing, employer benefits, and the best strategies.
Read moreHow to Talk to Your Partner About Debt
A compassionate guide to starting the debt conversation with your partner, from timing and framing to dealing with shame, secrecy, and financial infidelity.
Read moreHow to Use Your Tax Refund to Pay Off Debt
The smartest way to allocate your tax refund between debt payoff and other priorities. Includes the case for splitting and which debt to target first.
Read moreWhat to Do After You're Debt Free
You paid off your debt. Now what? A practical guide to building an emergency fund, investing, avoiding re-accumulation, and shifting your mindset.
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