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How to Get Out of Debt

Debt can be a vicious cycle: you’re out, you’re in, and around and around it goes. Make a plan to knock out your debt once and for all.

Debt Weighs Heavy. Lighten Your Load.

You might be embarrassed, ashamed, or maybe you just want to ignore your debt—but it won’t go away, no matter how nicely you ask. It’s a gray cloud that lurks over your days more often than you’d like.

Imagine life without the weight of debt. You’d feel lighter—free. You can break out of debt for good and feel those floaty fluffy vibes in your everyday life.

We Can Help You Demolish Your Debt

We’ve helped thousands of people pay off millions of dollars of debt. We won’t shame you, guilt you,
or force you to eat ramen until that last dollar is gone. Here’s how it works.

  • 1. Sign Up for a Free Trial

    Try our app. Consume our free content. Poke around a bit. Decide if you like us.

  • 2. Make a Plan

    Create your budget, experiment with different repayment options, organize your payoff plan, and feel more in control.

  • 3. Destroy Your Debt

    You’ll find extra money to put towards monthly payments and your balances will shrink to oblivion. Freedom!

"We Paid Off $180,000"

Liz and her husband will be the first to tell you they don’t make an excessive amount of money. But with the help of a budget and being consistent about their repayment plan, they paid off $180,000 of debt in five years without feeling like they were running a marathon of scrimping and saving.

  • You Might Assume Getting Out of Debt is All About Sacrifices

    Yes, there were sacrifices, but they felt more like trade-offs. We knew we were making progress on the things that mattered most to us.”

    —Liz paid off $180k in five years

What's Your Debt Pain Point? We Can Help!

  • how to pay off debt fast - YNAB debt bootcamp

    Help! I feel like I’ll never pay off all my debt!

    If the amount of debt you’re in feels insurmountable, we’re here to tell you: you are not alone! We see people paying off debts of all sizes—they’re achieving their financial goals and you can too. Read five debt repayment tips for paying off debt fast from people who have been in your shoes.
  • Help! I get out of debt only to get right back in!

    There’s not many things more frustrating than throwing everything you’ve got at that nasty debt only to have it come pouncing back. If that feels like the cycle you’re stuck in, you’re missing the key first step to making progress on your debt balance.
  • Help! I don’t know where to start.

    When you have a small pile of credit card debt, an auto loan, and a tangle of student loans all with varying balances and interest rates, it can be tough to know where to start. So what comes first? Saving up an emergency fund or paying off your debt?

Practical Tools For Paying Off Debt

  • Read the Full Guide

    This comprehensive guide will walk you through how to pay off debt and make a plan no matter where you’re starting.

    Read More
  • Hands-On Learning

    Our always-friendly teachers will show you the step-by-step mechanics of making a debt paydown plan in your budget.

    Get Started
  • Debt Video Course

    Make your own debt management plan in this approachable, bite-sized, and often hilarious video course.

    Watch
  • Get Connected

    Need encouragement to stay on track? Take part in a like-minded community and stay motivated to pay down debt faster!

    Join The Community

See Real Budgets of People Paying Off Debt

  • We Moved in With Family to Aggressively Pay Off Debt

    Reggie and Lisa moved in with their family to turbo-charge their debt payment plan, and now they’re saving for a house.
  • YNAB Money Snapshots

    My Debt Exceeds My Salary But I’m On Track to Pay it Off in 2.5 Years

    Lindsay was tired of tracking five different debt balances and wanted to clean up her credit report. She’s since improved her credit score, increased her net worth by $14,000 and she’ll be debt-free in 2.5 years!
  • We’ve Paid off $50,000 in Four Years

    Kara and GG went from constant overdraft fees to paying for their son’s college tuition in cash. Changing their financial situation changed their lives!

Recommended Resources

  • Watch: This Couple Paid Off $266K of Debt in 33 Months

    Who: Lauren and Kyle Mochizuki Where: San Juan Capistrano, California Total Debt: $266,000 Type of Debt: Credit card: $2,000 Car loans: $34,000 Mortgage: $230,000 Time to payoff: 2.75 years How they did it: Picked up work shifts Got a second job Made a chart with all their debt and celebrated every win Budgeted in YNAB …

    Read Blog Located in: Learn to Budget / Blog
  • Paying Off $200k At My Own Pace

    In 2015, Vanessa had to face her student debt—six figures worth. She wrote the amount on a Post-it Note, stuck it to her laptop, and began researching everything personal finance. Her search brought her to YNAB, and she has used the budgeting app to create her slow-but-steady debt pay-off plan. Today, working as a district administrator in LA, that number doesn’t overwhelm her or hold her back. She now has the skills and habits to manage her finances stress-free.

    Watch Video Located in: YouTube / Video
  • How to Deal with Debt Stress

    Being in debt is never fun. In fact, it can be downright stressful! But with rising rent prices and student loans, debt stress is a reality for most people. In fact, the average American has around $90,460 in debt. If you’re carrying debt, you know the weight isn’t a physical burden—it’s a mental and emotional …

    Read Blog Located in: Learn to Budget / Blog
  • How to Pay Off Debt Fast: 12 Ideas

    Trying to figure out how to pay off debt fast? Good for you. Once you commit—like, really commit—to tackling your debt, you might find that you get a little bit obsessed (in the best way!) with paying off your debt as aggressively as possible…and that’s the best way to get out of debt—and improve your …

    Read Blog Located in: Learn to Budget / Blog
  • Should I Consolidate My Debt?

    If you have a long string of debts that feel overwhelming to manage, you might be asking yourself, “Should I consolidate my debt?”  Before you take any steps, I want to explain a few things that are very important to consider when making the debt consolidation decision. Home Equity Loans Put Your Home at Risk …

    Read Blog Located in: Learn to Budget / Blog

Want to Be Debt-Free? Get Started With YNAB!

Get out from under the weight of your debt with a YNAB budget. You’ll find extra cash to pay off current debts, create habits that help avoid new debt, and experience financial freedom in a shorter period of time. So what do you have to lose? (Other than all that debt and stress, of course…)