Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Whether you have $5,000 in student loan debt or $150,000 in student loan debt, the impact that student loans have on your life is undeniable. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and frustrated when you’re struggling to pay down loans.
But the good news is, you can pay off your loans and get your life “back.” With dedication and sacrifice, the right attitude and inspiration, paying off student loans might not take as long as you think. You can do it!
Here are the 5 motivating principles that kept me thinking positive when I was paying down my own debt:
- One Debt at a Time. Don’t let large sums of student loan debt psych you out. If you have many student loans, think about each of them separately. Paying off $30k in student loans feels overwhelming. Paying off smaller debts one at a time feels more manageable.
- You Aren’t Defined by Your Debt. It might feel like you have a giant scarlet “D” pinned on your chest (as in “debtor”) but you don’t have to be defined by your debt. Whether people know about your debt or not, having student loan debt doesn’t make you a bad person.
- Debt Isn’t “Normal.” It’s amazing how many people think that debt is “normal” and unavoidable. Almost like you have no other option than to keep padding the pockets of your student loan company with your monthly interest payments. Thinking that debt is “normal” isn’t going to give you the motivation you need to fight your debt. Debt is bad, go kill it!
- You Don’t Have to Have a Big Salary to Pay Down Debt. Anyone can pay off student loans. Sure, having a large salary is helpful. But you can make a big dent in your debt even if you have limited means. Careful budgeting, limited spending and earning extra income from side jobs can help you dig out of debt in an expeditious fashion.
- Debt Freedom IS Obtainable. Talk to friends and family who have paid off their student loans. It might feel like “regular” people can’t get out of student loan debt, but they can and they do! Remember that everyone has to start somewhere, and the sooner you start the sooner you’ll finish.
How Do You Stay Positive While You’re Paying Down Debt?
Image: Friars Balsam
