8 Things to Eliminate for Debt-Free Living (2024)

Getting your finances under control as an adult can be hard because there are countless expenses that come in every month.

To get your finances under control, you may need to give up some lifestyle habits that keep you from achieving those money goals.

Let’s just take a minute and picture where you want to be in twenty, forty, or sixty years. Being smart with money doesn’t mean you stop having fun and doing the things you like to do.

Instead, it means you need to stop doing them all the time!

For a debt-free living, the first thing to do is to eliminate any debts you’ve incurred.

No matter how small or big side hustles are great at fixing this problem.

Here are my top 5 ways to get some money into your account without investing any money – perfect stay-at-home mom jobs and flexible options for college students.

*This post may contain affiliate links. Disclosurehere.

• Survey Junkie– This is one of the most reliable survey sites in the market that offers to pay up to $50 a survey. Survey Junkie is only available to those living in the US, Canada and Australia.

• Swagbucks – An easy way to make money is with Swagbucks. You can just browse the internet using the Swagbucks to earn points that can be converted to cash. And that’snot all, you can also do surveys worth $35 each, get paid to watch videos and also earn cashback rewards. An all in one money-saving tool.

• Pinecone Research– A market research site that pays a flat fee of $3 a survey. These are usually quick surveys that are usually between 5-10 minutes. You can only sign up to Pinecone Research through this invite-only link.

• Freelance Writing– Here are over 16 websites that pay beginner writers to earn up to $250 per article. One of the fastest way to make money when you are in urgent need.

• DoorDash– Deliver food to customers and make money. You can use your own bike, car or even walk in some places to deliver. You will need a smartphone to accept orders and get paid.

Now that we have looked at how to make some money lets look at ways to save money, with these 8 things you need to eliminate for debt-free living.

It’s time to learn how to become debt-free even on a low income, with making a few adjustments.

Overspending On Food

It is one thing to go out for a nice meal to celebrate something special, but when you are going out to eat regularly and dropping a Benjamin each time, we can consider that out of hand and one of those selfish habits.

Eat healthy at home, and if you are having a hard time organizing meals forjust $7/monththis meal plan is healthy and taste good. You get shopping lists, recipes that are sugar-free, flour-free and 15-minute dinners.You don’tneed to spend extra money on takeawaysor pre-packed meals at the grocery store any more.

Buy groceries and make it fun. Invite friends over to create food for each of you to take home.

Cut back gradually if this new behaviour is going to be a shock to your social system. Designate twice a week, then cut down to once a week. Move it to every other week or even down to once a month.

Drinking Expensive Alcohol

I understand the difference between good and average wine. I know the difference can be fierce, but the markup on these higher end alcohols in bars and restaurants is astronomical! For one glass of wine with dinner, you could buy a bottle (or in the case of less expensive wine, an entire box!).

Limit yourself to one nice beverage at dinner and if you feel the NEED to have more than that, go home and have another. There is no need to over drink.

Getting More House Than You Need

Checking out The Jones’s new McMansion?

Gorgeous right?

But if you are on a limited fund, it’s ok to start off renting something you can afford now and upgrade later. Selfish behaviours like renting more than you can afford put pressure on yourself (financially), and might end up with you wasting money that can be saved.

There is nothing wrong with living in a mediocre home for a little while.

Stick to what you can afford today and dream of the day you will be able to upgrade to your own home.

Driving An Expensive Car

Yeah, I know. It’s leased. That isn’t much better. You are “renting” and ensuring an expensive car because you know you wouldn’t be able to afford to buy it. That’s why leasing has become so popular. So people can afford to drive more car than they need.

Understand that a car is merely for transportation. I want you to be safe and comfortable, but you do not need that Mercedes or Lexus symbol on the hood to be comfortable.

Many believe there is a difference between good debt and bad debt. I think all debt is bad debt and as a house may be an investment, a car is not. Give it up and trade it in for something more affordable. Used is a good option.

Treat Yourself On The Weekends

You know you have worked hard all week. And when Friday rolls around, its time to kick back and find a party or create your own. Getting paid on Friday and blowing it all by Monday is a selfish habit that needs to stop immediately. Sure, you think you deserve it after the week that you have had.

But what you deserve is to invest that money and think past the weekend.

After all, Monday is the start of that dreaded work week all over again!

Impulse Shopping

You need a new pair of boots to go with those new skinny jeans, and while you are there, that pink coat is to die for. How amazing will you look when you go out with the girls on Friday night!

The next thing you know, you have swiped the credit card and are walking out of Macy’s with four bags.

Stay home. Do not even go to the mall. Find a new hobby that doesn’t cost money.

Try a Spending Freeze.

You do not need any of that stuff that you just bought. Your closet is bursting at the seams as it is!

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Carrying A Credit Card Balance and Never Paying It Off

This. This is how you “afford” all those luxuries you keep trying to impress the people around you with. One morning you are going to wake up and realize all those cards are maxed out and you are $40,000 in consumer debt.

And then you will be spending the next ten years trying to get out of debt and pay those selfish habits off. I suggest living within your means and shredding those credit cars. If you don’t have the money in your hands, you cannot afford it. As a financialcoach, I can not condone this selfish behaviour!

All of these behaviours are those living for the now, fear of missing out, and you only live once mentalities. Look past this weekend. Take a peek at your future and where you want to go in life and not where you want to go on Friday night for happy hour!

Figure out some financial goals, set up a budget, start an emergency fund — time to really be an adult instead of complaining how hard it is.

These selfish habits are stopping you from achieving a debt-free lifestyle.

Imagine what you could do if you had money. Imagine if you didn’t owe anyone anything! Picture what you could do in your life and all those dreams that you could make come true. Living a debt-free life is achievable and can be done.

But it’s time to first stop practising those selfish behaviours.

Guest Blogger:

Sara Conklin is a wife, mom of two grown boys, writer, and Financial Coach. She and her husband paid off over $100,000 including their house and Sara teaches others to do the same through coaching and living a frugal life. Learn to save money, get out of debt, and live your best life over atFrozenPennies.com