There’s no secret to paying down debt. If you borrow money, you have to pay it back — that’s just how it works. So what’s the difference between someone who struggles to repay debt and someone who straight up destroys debt? Habits. 

Debt destroyers have mastered one important, overarching habit: They find ways to make things easier. Here’s how to apply this super habit to your major money woes and ditch debt in the process. 

1. Paying Interest Hurts

When you borrow money, you actually get stuck with two payments: a debt payment + an interest payment. When you pay your monthly debt bill, a big chuck is lost to interest — it does not contribute to paying down your debt. The higher your debt interest rate, the more difficult that debt is to pay down. In the case of credit cards, interest rates can be staggering (often over 15%).

2. Paying Bills Sucks

There’s no way around it, paying bills just sucks. But if I could offer some perspective? Think about every dollar you spend as making your life better. Your life is much better because of your mortgage, your utilities, food. Want to know how to enjoy your money? Let every dollar you spend make your life better. Cut every expenses that isn’t making your life better.

Regardless, paying bills still sucks. Especially when money is tight. So how could you make paying bills easier? Could you lower them?

Related: 8 Ways to Drastically Cut Monthly Expenses

3. Food is Expensive

When you’re trying to eat well, it’s easy to rack up a pricey grocery bill. Just like bills, food is an expense you can’t completely bypass.

Meal planning is a great way to reduce expenses, but keeping things interesting can be a struggle. 

Related: Ibotta App Review: Is Ibotta Legitimate?

4. Budgeting is a Pain

Budgeting is the #1 tool for taking control of your finances. Why? A budget helps you keep your income over your expenses. When you can spend less than you earn, your money grows. Nothing helps your money grow faster than a detailed budget. But the truth is, getting started with a budget is hard. 

Sure, it’s easy enough to write down your fixed expenses, but tracking your spending and adjusting budget categories? That’s just overwhelming. Even if you have the patience to tackle and stick with a budget, finding the time is a challenge. 

5. Saving Money is Hard

For most people, saving money doesn’t come naturally. You earn a paycheck, you pay your bills, you live your life. Somehow, that seems to eat up all your funds. 

If you aren’t intentional about saving money, it doesn’t happen. 

Being intentional means building regular savings into your budget and making sure it happens consistently. Problem is, most people don’t approach savings that way. Instead, they put aside whatever is “left over.” Often, that doesn’t amount to much, because we spend everything. 

6. Save Money More Efficiently

There are tons of ways to save money, but some are easier than others. Debt destroyers find the smartest (aka easiest) ways to save. Then they take that savings and use it to pay down their debt fast!

7. Simplify 

No matter what you want to improve in your life, the key is to simplify the process. If you want to eat healthier, it doesn’t make sense to overhaul your whole diet — it’s too hard. Instead, try reducing one vice, like sugar. If you want to get in shape, walking to work is easier than starting a lifting and running regimen. 

It’s the same with your finances. When you master the habit of making things easier and more efficient, you’re more likely to be successful. That’s because, well, it’s easy. And because you’re not wasting time, you’re more likely to discover other innovative ways to make and save money. Debt doesn’t stand a chance! 
When you get good at this, you might even find a way to optimize your habits so you crush two goals at once. Ideas? Start an active side hustle like mowing lawns or walking dogs. The possibilities are endless!

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7 Habits of People Who Destroy Debt Story