Getting Out of Debt

 Do you hate debt?  You should.  Debt needs to be seen as a disease, a plague that is catchy, and once you have it, it’s hard to get rid of. Getting out of debt should be one of the top priorities for anyone desiring to move to the wilderness.  Since you may not have a large income when you first move to the country, why would you want to take the baggage of credit card payments, car payments and etc. with you?  But, to be realistic, it may be impossible for some people to be completely out of debt when they move to the wilderness. As long as your goal is to focus on ridding yourself of these weekly or monthly obligations, you’re on the right track.

The only way to get out of the debt is to begin with a concise plan that includes budgeting, short-term and long-term money management, and applying the philosophy and strategies of debt-free living. The following information is specifically written for those still living in the city and wanting to get out of debt before their move to the country.

Planning your budget
In definition, a budget is an estimate, often itemized, of expected income and expense. A budget should be written and specific. It should be organized to work around your pay periods. Some people have weekly budgets, others bi-weekly and still others monthly. After determining which one works best for you, begin to list specifically all your credits - utilities, rent or mortgage, car payments, credit cards, loans, food, entertainment, and gas for transportation. If you're not sure how much to put aside for items such as food or entertainment, begin keeping receipts to determine exactly how much you're spending, and for what. You may discover you're spending large amounts of money on things you really didn't need. Budgets can be both helpful and humbling!