Whether you’re a natural introvert, don’t like discussing money problems or feel acute shame about your predicament, you’re not alone. But not being ready to talk doesn’t mean you’re not interested in beginning to take hold of your debt problem. There are small steps you can take on your own to get clarity, lower your stress and prepare for professional support, when you’re ready.
Organize on Your Terms
You don’t need to call anyone to start making sense of your situation, just a blank spreadsheet or piece of paper.
Start by making a list of the lender, the balance, and the due date for each outstanding account. Then, group credit cards, personal loans and medical bills together by type. Sort these categories by size (or by which ones worry you most).
Even if you don’t act on the list right away, just having it ready means you’re not unaware of where you stand (and that you don’t have to start from scratch when you’re ready to kick into gear).
Build a Simple Minimum-Pay Survival Plan
If you’re barely getting by, this isn’t the time to attempt to clear accounts.
You need to ensure your basics get covered first, then go from there. Keep paying your rent, utilities and anything tied to your job or safety, and put the nagging credit cards lower on your priorities list.
If you can’t afford full payments on debts, make minimum payments for now. You’re working on finding balance right now — so worry less about the interest, and more about keeping those basics in good standing.
Create a Personal Check-In Schedule
When you’re feeling panic and anxiety about debt, one of the best things you can do is find ways to stay grounded. And checking in on your finances can support your effort to stay focused on the problem, not the way the problem makes you feel.
Set a Time That Works for You: It doesn’t matter if you check your standing every Sunday morning over coffee, or once a month for a financial date night — as long as you make an effort to stay engaged, you’re on the right track.
Log More Than Just Your Money: Note how stressed you feel, how you’re sleeping or how much mental space debt is taking up. Your feelings about your debt can influence how you respond when financial pressure increases — and knowing how you react under those circumstances can help you find grounded ways to move forward.
Set a Future Action Trigger
One of the hardest parts of feeling stuck is not knowing when to act. You can plan for that now by essentially drawing a line in the sand. Choose a day in the future , and resolve to take one next step towards ridding yourself from debt, like reaching out for support.
This is a good way to keep yourself accountable and to spur action when the time never feels quite right.
Explore Debt Consolidation
When the time comes, debt consolidation could be a helpful next move. If you qualify, Accredited Debt Relief can help you save 40% or more on eligible monthly payments, and even help you get debt-free in as little as 24-28 months.