What is the ideal way to live once you’ve paid off all your debt? Some people choose to retire early, while others find the prospect of spending their days inside a cubicle to be a bit depressing. Still, others choose to “go all-in” and live an extreme lifestyle, traveling the world and only earning money to spend on experiences. If you’ve ever taught a class on personal finance, discussed money with friends, read a self-help book, or stared at a balance sheet, then you’ve heard the basic advice: “the best way to get out of debt is to spend less than you earn.
Focus On Your Future
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a financial planner in the US is $80,000. It’s expected to climb to $95,000 by 2020. It’s safe to say that if you’re already out of debt, you’ve probably got plans for the future. But what if you have no debt, and you’re not sure of your plans? That’s where a financial planner can help. Being in debt is not a good feeling. And while life in debt is never ideal, there are some things you can do while you are in debt to make your situation better.
Whether you’ve just graduated from college or are still at home with your parents, debt can be a scary thing. Yet, with the right combination of knowledge and discipline, debt can be a good thing. The first step towards tackling your debt is realizing that debt is a choice. It’s something that we do — whether we want to or not. Our debt is a reflection of our choices and our priorities. And once we realize that, we can begin to focus on the future.
Inspire Others
When it comes to debt, many focuses on being in debt and not getting out or not paying off everything owed as soon as possible, which is the way most people seem to think about debt. However, you are not in debt until you can’t pay it off. Most people think of getting out of debt as being able to pay off all the debt. That’s not it. You can only pay off the debt you have, not the debt you want.
I’m out of debt. I’m in good health. I’m financially secure. I’m financially successful. And I’m the type of person I can venture out into the world and do things that make me happy without worrying about money. That’s the situation I’m in for the next several years.
Follow Your Passion
The most important tool in your toolbox is your knowledge of yourself. Your passions will always lead you in the direction you want to go; your life goal will be fulfilled if you are doing what you love. Then you can enjoy your retirement years in peace—remember, work is good for you, and you should always try to make some money.
You can know everything there is to know about the stock market. You could even make tons of money by investing in stocks. But the problem is, investing can be a lot of work. It’s not only about planning for the future, but also making sure you know which stocks are worth buying. If you find yourself signing up for these day trading programs to make money, you may not be doing it the right way. But what if there’s another way to invest? One that’s easier than day trading and even more profitable? Passions can provide what you need to know to get started.
Given the economic climate we’re currently living in, it’s a pretty good idea to stay out of debt. Debt is not only expensive, but it can also lead to a lot of complications. Even the smallest amount of debt can start to take control of you, pushing you to do things that ultimately prevent you from succeeding. If you are out of debt, there’s no reason to feel helpless. The problem was solved with a little help from a few sources: a job, a good credit score, and money saved up on an emergency fund. It’s all about what you do once you are out of debt and how you make sure you keep on track with your long-term goals.
