How do I get out of debt?!

This may surprise you – in fact, I hope it will because it can then give you hope there is a new way! – I don’t want you to “get out of debt”. I want to help you “stay out of debt” instead!

When clients come to me with this question, they share beliefs that they are bad with money, stupid, undisciplined, and more. And feelings of shame, guilt, burdens, out of control, overwhelmed, lost, stuck… any of these resonate with you? You aren’t alone!

There is a common belief that getting out of debt is the top goal, the #1 strategy to solve the “problem”. I disagree. I guide clients to turn the focus to staying out of debt, to deepening the understanding of what leads to debt, and that leads to building a fresh new map to doing money differently.

I have been where you are! For years and years, I focused on getting out of debt, only to find myself back in it, befuddled as to what had happened. I made the classic promise to myself when I paid off debt, “I will never get in debt again!” only to see it happen again. This is what is often called “debt cycling”. And, to be honest, it’s miserable!

What helps? Deepening understanding of what leads to what I call “using debt as a payment method”. When I am working with clients on this pattern, we start with my key principle of compassionate curiosity and zero judgment. This sets the stage for emotional safety, neutrality, calm, and a fresh approach. Then we begin to explore the decision tree that includes “debt as a payment method”. This creates tons of new awareness, and begins the deeper mindset and behavior shift you are longing for..

This is just the beginning of a new approach, a mindset shift. If you are ready to try it, here are a couple of reflection questions you can start with:

• What are 2 thoughts and 2 feelings I am noticing about this purchase decision?
• What are 2-3 other options if I don’t “use debt as a payment method”?

I would love to discuss what you noticed in these reflection questions and see where we could make momentum!