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A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Out of Debt

A practical guide to organizing debts, making a workable repayment routine, contacting creditors, and avoiding misleading debt-relief offers.
From TheFinanceBase Team5 min to read
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To get out of debt, first list every balance and payment, then build a budget that shows what you can realistically pay. Keep required payments current where possible, direct any extra money toward a chosen balance, and contact creditors early if the budget does not work. Credit counseling may help you assess options, but check fees and terms carefully before signing up.

1. Get a complete picture of your finances

Gather recent statements and make one inventory of your debts. For each account, record the creditor, balance, interest rate, minimum payment, due date, and whether the debt is secured by collateral, such as a car or home. The FTC’s debt guide recommends making a budget; its consumer advice on getting out of debt also points readers toward organizing household finances.

Then compare your take-home income with essential expenses and the minimum payments due. This gives you a practical view of what is available for repayment, rather than an amount based on guesswork. If income or expenses vary, use a conservative estimate so the plan does not depend on a particularly good month.

2. Protect essential expenses and assess what you can pay

Set aside what you need for basic household obligations, then see whether the remaining cash can cover required debt payments. There is no universal payment priority that fits every household or every type of debt: the consequences of missing a payment can depend on the debt, collateral, and applicable rules. If you have tax debt, federal student loans, a court judgment, or a secured loan, seek guidance from the relevant official program or a qualified adviser rather than assuming general consumer-debt advice resolves those issues.

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If you can make all required payments, keep doing so while you decide where extra money can go. If you cannot, do not build a payoff routine around money you do not have; move to the creditor-contact step below.

3. Choose a payoff routine you can sustain

When minimums are covered, you can direct extra money to one selected balance and continue making required payments on the others. Two common ways to choose a target are:

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  • Highest-rate first: Put extra money toward the balance with the highest interest rate. This approach focuses on reducing interest costs, all else being equal.
  • Smallest-balance first: Put extra money toward the smallest balance. Clearing an account sooner may make progress easier to see, though it does not necessarily minimize interest.

These are approaches to compare, not methods evaluated or endorsed by the cited agencies. Consider the interest cost, how long the plan may take, and which routine you can keep following. Do not treat a payoff estimate as a guarantee; rates, fees, and your ability to pay can change.

4. Contact creditors if the payments do not fit

If you are having trouble paying, contact creditors before the account falls further behind or is sent to a debt collector. Explain what you can afford and ask whether the company can offer a more manageable payment arrangement. The FTC recommends contacting creditors early, because some may agree to a payment arrangement.

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Debt Payoff Planner - 8.5"x11" Financial Tracker Notebook, 53 Sheets
  • Organize Debts with a Debt Payoff Planner - Track all your debts efficiently using this debt payoff planner, including starting balances, minimum payments, due dates, and interest rates.
  • Monitor Payments with a Debt Payoff Tracker - Log each payment, track end balances, and store confirmation numbers in this debt payoff tracker to stay on top of your finances.
  • Plan Your Strategy with a Debt Snowball Planner - Prioritize debts, set goals, and create repayment strategies with this debt snowball planner for faster debt elimination.
  • Track Bills with a Bill Tracker Notebook - Keep track of recurring bills, payment dates, and amounts with this bill tracker notebook, ensuring nothing is missed.
  • Stay Motivated with a Debt Management Planner - Celebrate milestones and monitor progress using this debt management planner, perfect for anyone seeking control over their finances and achieving debt freedom.

Confirm any offer directly with the creditor, and ask for the payment amount, due dates, duration, fees, and any effects on the account in writing before you agree. A verbal conversation is not a substitute for understanding the arrangement’s terms.

5. Consider credit counseling when you want help weighing options

A credit counselor may review your income and debts, help with budgeting, and explain possible ways to manage repayment. Counseling can include education or workshops as well as advice about a debt management plan (DMP). The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s overview of credit counseling explains these services.

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How a debt management plan works

With a DMP, you make one periodic payment to the counseling organization, which then pays participating creditors. Creditors may agree to lower interest rates or waive fees, but concessions are not automatic. Ask each creditor directly what it will offer and how the arrangement affects your account. A DMP is not a general solution for every debt; ask whether your debts are eligible, especially if they are secured by a home or vehicle.

The FTC cautions that a successful DMP can take 48 months or more. That is a general possibility, not a prediction for your situation. Before enrolling, check that the payment amount is realistic and that you understand the plan’s full cost and duration.

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6. Screen counseling and debt-relief providers before sharing details

Ask a prospective provider for clear answers in writing. The CFPB advises consumers to check an organization’s services, costs, qualifications, and compensation practices, and to consult state consumer protection authorities about potential complaints.

  • What services are available, and which debts can the provider help with?
  • What are all fees, when are they charged, and what happens if you leave the program?
  • What qualifications do counselors have, and how are employees compensated?
  • Will you receive a written agreement describing the services, fees, and terms?
  • What creditor concessions have actually been confirmed, and by whom?

The U.S. Department of Justice’s provider directory lists agencies approved for bankruptcy-related counseling and debtor education. It does not endorse or guarantee any provider, and its bankruptcy-related scope means it is not a general quality rating for all debt-help services. Check the provider’s terms and standing with appropriate state authorities as well.

Watch for promises of guaranteed debt elimination or fast forgiveness, demands for personal financial information in an unsolicited contact, or charges collected before services are performed. The FTC says: “When it comes to debt relief services, only scammers will tell you to pay them upfront before they settle any of your debts or enter you into a debt management plan.” It also says: “Reputable credit counseling organizations should send you free information about their services before you say anything about your situation.” Both statements appear in the FTC’s March 26, 2026 debt-relief scam alert. Do not pay or disclose sensitive information until you understand who you are dealing with and what the written terms say.

7. Keep the plan current as your circumstances change

Track balances, due dates, and payments so you can see whether the routine is working. Revisit your budget when your income or expenses change, and adjust the amount directed to extra repayment if the old figure is no longer realistic. A budget worksheet or simple spreadsheet is enough; you do not need to buy a planner to organize the information.

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