Paying off debt is almost always a stressful process. It can be both intimidating and frustrating to realize the weight of the money you owe, especially when most people are driven to get ahead financially rather than just stay afloat. There are ways to manage debt however that can give you clarity in the process, and help you pay off your debt in an efficient manner as quickly as possible.

Pay Every Bill on Time

While this may seem obvious to many, it is important to note because not paying on time essentially adds to the amount of debt you owe. Each time you are late on a payment, a late fee will be imposed in addition to your withstanding debt. Make sure to set reminders and mark your payment dates on calendars to avoid this.

Know How Much Debt Is Owed

Knowing how much debt you owe can help in creating a sufficient plan in paying it off. This can allow you to create a personal system of knowing how much beyond the minimum payments that you can go monthly to pay off all your debt by a certain date.

Realize That Not All Debt Is Equal

You should prioritize which sources of debt to pay off first. Typically speaking, you want to pay off anything that comes with high interest, as the longer you keep those accounts open the more monthly interest you are being charged.

Set Aside Monthly Income

Your debt plan will be much easier to manage mentally if you set aside what your estimated monthly costs will be and in some way separate from the remainder of the paycheck. This way, you know exactly what you need to pay and will have that money ready on reserve.