How to Get Out of Debt Fast: Strategies for Quick Relief

Do you have debt that keeps you up at night? Do you wish you could wake up tomorrow and see your credit card balance cleared? Are you wondering how to get out of debt fast? You’re not alone. While there is no magic button you can push to get rid of your debt overnight, there are several strategies to help get those numbers down fast.

Not only will you gain peace of mind, but getting rid of your debt will allow you to start saving for the future, so you are less likely to be in debt again. In this blog post, we will explore practical strategies to help you quickly tackle your debt and start building a healthier relationship with money.

Let’s dive in and discover how you can take control of your finances and achieve your goals sooner than you might think.

1. Assess Your Debt Situation

List Out Your Debts

Before you can tackle anything, it is time to face the music. Grab your paper, pen, tablet, laptop, or anything to help you jot things down. Let’s do this!

Write down all your debts, such as credit card debt, payday loans, or student loans. When listing them, be sure to also include the balances, interest rates, and minimum payments so you know how much you owe for each one.

It is easy to lose track of debt if you do not audit your finances often, so taking the time to write it all down will pay off in the future. The last thing you want is to forget about that one pesky credit card statement from months ago that is accumulating interest!

Prioritize Your Debts

Once you have listed all your debts, choose a repayment strategy that works best for you. This will help you decide which debt to tackle first. The one with a greater balance? Or the one with the smallest balance?

The two most common methods are the avalanche and snowball methods.

The avalanche method focuses on paying off the highest-interest debt first, which can save you money on interest in the long run. This is the debt with high interest rates and interest payments. You can consider getting those out of the way, so the interest does not continue to grow quickly.

On the other hand, the snowball method involves paying off the smallest debts first to build momentum and motivation. For some people, it is easier to pay off small debt amounts first to get those out of the way before focusing on the larger ones. You will also feel a sense of accomplishment watching one debt come off your list. As you pay off each debt, your snowball grows, and your motivation soars!

There is no right or wrong option. Whichever repayment strategy you choose, it will be a step forward to help you get out of debt fast. As long as you are putting in the effort to reduce your debt, you are on the right path.

Calculate Your Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI)

You may be asking yourself, “How do I know if I have too much debt?”. This is where your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) comes in.

You should have a good understanding of your debt-to-income ratio. This ratio compares how much money you make versus how much you are spending on debt. It will give you a good idea of if your debt is in a healthy range or not compared to your income.

You can use an online calculator to figure out your DTI quickly. If your DTI is less than 36%, your debt is in a healthy range compared to your income. 36% to 49% is an acceptable range, but it also means you are getting close to a high debt-to-income ratio. This is when it could start hurting your credit and make it harder to borrow money in the future. Anything above 50% is high and can impact your financial health, so we recommend exploring options available to reduce your debt.

See Where You Can Cut Back on Spending

Creating a budget is a key step in getting out of debt fast. It can also help you avoid overspending in the future!

When creating a budget, you will note down your income and monthly expenses. This can include your fixed expenses, like rent, and variable expenses, like entertainment. Then you can review your spending habits and recent transactions to find areas where you can cut back.

While it might be difficult to cut down how much you spend on fixed expenses, there may be opportunities to do so with your variable expenses. This includes eating out less, cancelling any unnecessary subscriptions, or reducing the amount you spend on entertainment.

You may even find different ways to still enjoy your hobbies but on a budget! Be sure to look out for deals, sales, coupons, or even free activities you can enjoy. Every dollar saved can be put towards paying down your debt faster. It will be worth it!

2. Try Out Strategies to Get Out of Debt Fast

Automate Your Payments

Setting up automatic payments for your debts can help ensure you never miss a payment. This can save you from late fees and keep you on track with your repayment plan. Many banks and financial institutions offer this service, making it a convenient option.

One thing to note when automating your payments is to make sure that you have enough money in your account or that your credit card is not maxed out when these automated payments are expected to come out! It is helpful to keep a note of the dates these automated payments happen to avoid additional charges.

Use Unexpected Funds Wisely

Whenever you get unexpected funds, like a tax refund, bonus at work, or gift, consider putting it towards your debt. While you could be tempted to spend the money right away, these extra funds can make a big dent in your balance and speed up your journey to getting out of debt.

Consolidate Your Debts

Debt consolidation involves combining multiple debts into a single loan with a lower interest rate. This can simplify your payments and reduce the amount of interest you pay overtime. However, make sure to understand the terms and conditions before opting for consolidation to ensure it benefits your financial situation. While it sounds convenient, they are not for everyone and can be hard to qualify for if your credit has already been damaged.

But debt consolidation is not your only debt-relief option! In our next point, we will quickly talk through other options that may be better suited for your financial situation.

3. Understand Your Options

As mentioned, there are other options such as a consumer proposal. This option is a great debt-relief option offered by the government that can reduce or eliminate your debt. It is a formal and legally binding debt settlement agreement between you and the companies you owe money to. It can help you keep your assets, stop collection calls, and reduce your debt by up to 80%!

We encourage you to reach out to a debt expert. Working with an insolvency professional, like a Licensed Insolvency Trustee (LIT), can help you understand all your options. They can guide you through consumer proposals, debt consolidation, and other strategies to relieve the pressure of debt.

4. Seek Assistance for Debt Relief

Consult a Debt Expert

A debt expert can provide personalized advice and help you create a plan to get out of debt. They can offer insights into your financial situation and recommend the best strategies for your specific needs.

At Farber, we offer free consultations if you would like to review your debt-relief options together and help make a plan to start lowering your debt.

Debt Counselling Services

Debt counselling services can provide support and guidance as you work to pay off your debt. They can help you create a budget, negotiate with creditors, and develop a plan to become debt-free.

5. How Farber Can Help You Get Out of Debt Fast

At Farber, we specialize in working with Canadians just like you to find realistic solutions that turn your debt stress into debt relief.

Our experts do this by:

• Take the time to understand your unique financial circumstances and the challenges you are facing.
• Exploring all available options with you, making sure you are informed and confident about the choices you make.
• Helping you develop a tailored plan that fits your needs and empowers you to take control of your finances.

While we offer counselling, one of the most powerful tools we also offer is a consumer proposal. Not everyone has heard of it, but a consumer proposal is an excellent debt-relief solution offered by the government that can reduce or eliminate your debt.

Before you know it, you will wake up feeling lighter because your financial situation has drastically improved, and you are well on your way to getting out of debt. The sooner you address your financial pressures, the more debt-relief options will be available to you.