One of the comments from yesterday’s post ^[2] asked for more specific tips for staying debt free. To be certain, living debt free is more important than getting debt free. Why? When you have a goal to become debt free, you have a mission, a target, a light at the end of the debt tunnel. But what happens when you arrive in debt free land? You better have a plan for staying debt free otherwise you’ll wind up back in debt again.

I’d be interested in you posting a follow up to this story once you get some tips.
My wife and I sold our house last year, moved 750 miles to a new city. The sale of the house let us pay off everything. We owe a tiny amount on one credit card ^[3] that we’re able to pay off each month. Other than that, we have no debt.
What I’m looking for is some solid tips on staying debt free. I don’t want to go back into that trap. The only debt I’m willing to consider is a mortgage ^[4], and that’s not going to happen in my new community as real estate prices are too expensive for us to afford to buy a house.

So here’s my follow up post as requested!

“Debt free” is a state of mind. Getting there is not as hard as staying there. I know. I had everything but the mortgage ^[4] and a small student loan paid off at one point. When someone goes on a diet, they have to change what they eat forever if they are to keep the weight off. Debt is no different. Staying away from it requires a way of looking at life that is different than anything you’ve experienced up to this point. Up until a few years back, I used credit cards ^[3] freely. I bought anything I saw that I wanted because “I could afford the payments.”

If I’m to remain debt free, it will require a completely different mindset, one that isn’t satisfied with the status quo, one that completely shuns debt for depreciating items. What that means is:

Live debt free by

• No debt for eating out at that fancy restaurant.
• No debt for that expensive hair styling treatment.
• No debt for clothing.
• No debt for groceries.
• No debt for car rental.
• No debt for hotel stays.
• No debt at Christmas.
• No debt for birthday gifts.
• No debt for airline travel.
• No debt for “the rewards.”
• No debt for the rebates.
• No debt for that new four-wheeler.
• No debt for a new or used car.
• No debt for a new boat.
• No debt for a new camper.
• No debt for a new lawnmower.
• No debt for books.
• No debt for the new exercise equipment.
• No debt for the infomercial that promises to make you rich.
• No debt for depreciating junk. Period.

Stop everything you’re doing and write a list of everything you’ve ever bought on credit. Everything.
Circle the things that have increased in value…and be honest.

Everything that’s left should have been bought with cash or on your debit card…or maybe you shouldn’t have purchased it at all ^[5]. You pay for the things you want anyway, but buying them on credit causes you to pay much more for them because of interest and the “credit card ^[3] factor.”

The credit card factor and living debt free

The “credit card ^[3] factor” is well known by retailers and other merchants. People who buy on credit, spend more than they would otherwise, usually up to 20% more. This is common knowledge amongst retailers. That’s why almost every retailer offers some sort of in-store financing, accepts visamastercardamericanexpressdiscovercardcarteblanchdinersclub, or offers a private label credit card ^[3] with oodles of rewards programs and points. Who do you think is really paying for all that?

There’s nothing wrong with using a credit card ^[3] so long as you use it responsibly. It’s like dynamite … you really should know what you’re doing and how to use it before lighting that fuse.

I’d say that 95% of personal financial success is determined between your ears and what’s between your ears dictates your behavior. The credit card and banking industries didn’t get to be multi-billion dollar industries because they were stupid, it’s because they were smart at separating you from your money ^[6].

So what tips other than “responsible credit card use” do I plan to employ?

1. I will continually keep 6 to 12 months in a liquid emergency fund.

Yes, I said 6 to 12 months in my emergency fund. In today’s economy ^[7] how long would it take YOU to find another job making what you’re making now? I’d rather err on the side of caution.

2. I will stay on budget

I will not allow myself to get crazy with the excess cash I’ll soon have left over every paycheck. This is where I failed last time.

3. I will divide my savings as follows:

• Savings for college (I have three kids).
• Savings for weddings (I have two girls).
• Savings for a replacement vehicle. I have a company car and my wife has a minivan. It will probably last at least another 5+ years. It’s a Honda.
• Savings for retirement. Currently my company makes a contribution to an ESOP plan for my retirement. It’s been 15% of gross salary on my W2 but the last two years has been 25%. The year before that it was 20%. This is a hard deal to beat. I contribute nothing (not allowed to by law) and the company puts money into my retirement account which has historically grown at a rate greater than the S&P 500. I plan to save an additional 15% to 25% over and above what’s in my ESOP.
• Savings for other major purchases. If I need a new [ fill in the blank ] I will have the money to pay cash and will only pay cash.

4. I will employ all the lessons of frugality I possibly can…within reason.

I don’t plan on going hunting for my food (yet), I don’t plan on getting a milk cow or some chickens, nor do I plan on spinning my own yarn. Gardening, sure, but I’ll leave the homemade laundry detergent to others!

5. I will learn to negotiate a better deal on everything.

Negotiation ^[8] is an art form that anyone can learn. Employing a little bit of haggling ^[9] can put a little more money in my pocket!

6. I will learn some good old fashioned self control.

How’s that for a revolutionary tip? Control your desires and how you act on them and you can control your own destiny. Self control ^[10] is the key to making it. Master yourself and you can then master anything.

7. The most important tip is to…drum roll please…PLAN.

We plan for the next week, maybe the next quarter, but rarely do we REALLY plan further out than that. We “want to keep our options open” and we fear being tied down to some strict budget. But planning and budgeting ^[11] is more about controlling your money than about restricting your fun. Planning lets you enjoy the fun of dressing up in shabby clothes, popping in the Billy-Bob teeth ^[12], and buying a car with all cash from a surprised salesperson. Wouldn’t that be fun? How about telling the furniture salesperson that you don’t need financing and that you’d like a 25% discount…heck, make it 35% since you’re paying cash. Or maybe just that deep secure feeling that you don’t owe anyone anything? That’s what I’m talking ’bout.

About the author

Ron has written 1082 articles on The Wisdom Journal.

The founder and editor of The Wisdom Journal ^[13] in 2007, Ron has worked in banking, distribution, retail, and upper management for companies ranging in size from small startups to multi-billion dollar corporations. He graduated Suma Cum Laude from a top MBA program and currently is a partner in a national building materials company.

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