Breaking Free from the Chains of Debt

Debt a four-letter word that can cause nightmares and sleepless nights for individuals, families, and even countries.

People take on debt for various reasons, but they often fail to realize that it is not a one-time issue. Many people have lost everything,

including family, friends, and wealth, by falling into the trap of debt unknowingly and not being able to handle it well.

Its an invisible trap, which has the potential to swallow everything we have including our life.

Living a debt-free life is definitely achievable with the right mindset and approach.

Here are few best practices that can be followed to lead a debt-free life.

Expenses < Income: The first step in living a debt-free life is to create a budget. This will help you understand how much money you have coming in and going out, and where you can make adjustments to save money. A budget will help you prioritize your spending and identify areas where you can cut back.

Once you have a budget in place, it's important to track your expenses. This will help you see where your money is going and identify areas

where you may be overspending. Use a budgeting app or spreadsheet to keep track of your expenses.

Pay off high-interest debt: If you have high-interest debt, such as credit card debt, it's important to pay it off as soon as possible.

The longer you carry this debt, the more interest you will end up paying. Make a plan to pay off your high-interest debt as quickly as possible

by increasing your payments or consolidating your debt.

Avoid new debt: Once you have paid off your high-interest debt, it's important to avoid taking on new debt.

If you need to make a large purchase, such as a car or a house,

try to save up for it instead of taking out a loan.

Minimalistic Living: Living below your means is a key aspect of living a debt-free life.

This means spending less than you earn and saving the rest. Avoid lifestyle inflation, the tendency to increase your spending as your income increases.

Instead, save that extra money to pay off debt or build your savings.

High Risk Investments: Never take the risk of investing in any business which has the potential of loosing your capital.

Ensuring capital protection should be of top priority in investments.

Build an emergency fund: Building an emergency fund is an important step in living a debt-free life.

An emergency fund will help you avoid turning to credit cards or loans when unexpected expenses arise.

Aim to save at least 3 to 6 months of living expenses in your emergency fund.

Invest in yourself: Investing in yourself is important for financial stability and success. Consider enhancing your skills/hobbies,

or starting a side business to increase your income. The more you can do to improve your earning potential, the better your chances of living a debt-free life.

Health First: Maintain a healthy lifestyle in such a way that hospital expenses are almost nil. This can be achieved by enriching your knowledge

about home remedies for simple health issues (fever, headache, common cold etc.,).

Educational Investments: Be very cautious on the expenses for your children's education. Many people sell of their wealth to invest on education or make

an high ticket debt for Children's education. Don't get carried away by social pressures, understand your child's passion

and make a choice on higher education accordingly. Always look out for alternative ways before investing on education.

Be patient: Remember that becoming debt-free takes time and patience. Be persistent and consistent with your budgeting and saving, and don't give up if you hit a setback.

Keep in mind that small changes can make a big difference over time.

Remember there is nothing called good or bad debt. A debt is always bad and the moment you think of taking a debt,

it's a wake up call that you are actually crossing your limits.