Debt is a significant cause of stress for a lot of people. For some, debt is incurred through poor budget management, for others, it’s the result of unexpected circumstances – a sudden job loss or a medical emergency. But no matter who you are or how you got into debt, the stress of working your way back to solvency can be crippling and detrimental to your progress.
If you want to conquer your debt, you have to conquer your debt stress first. This is no time to bury your head in the sand and hope it will go away. You need to work out a strategy that allows you to rebuild your savings while dealing with your immediate debt problems.
Image Credit: Pexels CC0 Licence
Get Help
When you can’t do something on your own, sometimes you simply have to ask for help. I know that’s easier said than done, especially when it comes to money. Money is STILL one of those subjects we don’t like talking about. We’ll talk about our marriages, our kids, our jobs, and all kinds of personal things, but admitting we’re struggling financially? That’s a whole different story.
But being embarrassed about your debt isn’t going to make it disappear.
If your debt has gotten to the point where you’re missing payments, receiving collection notices, or especially if you’re facing legal action, don’t ignore it and hope it goes away. That’s when getting the RIGHT kind of help becomes even more important. If you’re facing a debt lawsuit, for example, get qualified help so you understand what you’re dealing with, what deadlines you have, and what options may be available to you.
And please don’t automatically assume your situation is hopeless just because the numbers look bad.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to talk with your creditors about payment arrangements or hardship options. A reputable nonprofit credit counselor may also be able to help you look at your budget and debts and figure out what your next steps should be.
Financial advisors can be useful too, but remember that professional financial advice may come with a cost. Before agreeing to anything, find out exactly what you’re paying for and how much it will cost.
There are also plenty of free resources available online. Just be careful about WHERE you’re getting your information. Anybody can make a TikTok video and call themselves a financial expert. Sites such as NerdWallet and Investopedia can be helpful when you’re trying to understand financial terms and different options, but when you’re dealing with your specific debt, especially anything involving a lawsuit, taxes, bankruptcy, or another serious financial situation, that’s when I’d want advice specific to MY circumstances.
Most importantly, don’t let embarrassment keep you from asking questions.
You don’t have to tell the entire world you’re struggling with debt. But you DO need to talk to the right people when you need help.
Make Steady Progress
One of the biggest causes of stress with debt is looking at the ENTIRE amount you owe and feeling like you somehow need to make it disappear right now.
Of course, for most of us, that’s impossible! If you owe thousands of dollars, staring at that total every day can make a $50 or $100 payment feel like you’re getting nowhere.
But you ARE getting somewhere.
Making steady progress is about chipping away at your debt until it gradually disappears. That’s why getting your budget back on track can make such a difference. When you know what’s coming in, what’s going out, and what you can realistically put toward your debt, you aren’t constantly guessing.
Start with a number you can actually manage.
Maybe you can put an extra $200 toward your debt each month. Maybe right now you can only manage $25. Don’t convince yourself that $25 isn’t worth paying because someone online told you they paid off $50,000 in six months. Their income, bills, family, and circumstances aren’t yours.
Work with YOUR numbers.
It can also help to choose one debt to concentrate on while continuing to make the required payments on the others. Every time you pay one off, take the money you were putting toward that payment and apply it to another debt.
And celebrate those little milestones! Paid off a credit card? That’s progress. Got a balance below $1,000? PROGRESS.
Made it through an unexpected expense without adding more debt? I’d call that a pretty big win too.
The important thing to remember is that you aren’t just eliminating debt. You’re also living your life while you’re doing it.
Don’t make your debt payoff plan so ambitious that there’s no room for anything to go wrong. Because something WILL eventually go wrong. The car will need something, somebody will need to go to the doctor, or an expense you completely forgot about will pop up.
Give yourself some breathing room.
It might take longer than you’d like, but once you get into the habit of budgeting, saving, and steadily paying things down, you’ll start feeling more in control of your money instead of feeling like your money is controlling YOU.
Use Calming Techniques
It’s incredibly easy to become overwhelmed when you’re worried about money. And money worries have a nasty habit of showing up at the WORST times.
You can be perfectly fine all day and then lie down to go to sleep and suddenly your brain decides it’s the perfect time to remind you about every bill you have due for the next three months.
Unfortunately, worrying about the bills at 2 a.m. isn’t going to pay them.
When you notice yourself becoming overwhelmed or panicky about your finances, give yourself permission to stop thinking about the numbers for a few minutes. Take a walk. Pray. Journal. Sit outside. Read something. Take several slow breaths. Do whatever helps YOU calm your mind enough to think clearly again.
This isn’t about pretending the debt doesn’t exist.
There’s a BIG difference between avoiding your financial problems and taking a break from thinking about them. Sometimes you need that mental break so you can come back to the problem with a clearer head.
You might even give yourself a specific time each week to deal with your finances. Sit down, check your accounts, pay bills, update your budget, look at your progress, and decide what needs your attention next. Then when your brain tries to drag you back into worrying about money later, you can remind yourself:
I’ve already looked at this. I have a plan. I’ll deal with it again at the time I’ve set aside.
As scary as debt can feel, you don’t have to solve your entire financial situation TODAY. Ask for help when you need it, make a realistic plan, and keep making steady progress.
Some months you’ll make more progress than others. There may even be months when something happens and you feel like you’ve taken two steps backward.
That doesn’t mean you quit. You adjust your plan and keep going.
You can do this. One payment, one decision, and one step at a time.
Making Difficult Decisions About Family Finances
How Trustworthy Systems Impact Peace of Mind
What Do You Need To Get A Mortage In The Modern World?
How BC Stack 2026 Is Helping Me Turn a Lifelong Dream Into Reality
I’m especially excited about BC Stack 2026 because this year feels completely different for me….
Dollar General Penny Shopping Guide
