Dramatic lifestyle changes to pay off debt faster

Everyone wants to dig their way out of a mountain of debt, but getting out of debt is easier said than done. Chipping away at blocks of debt requires more than allocating a fair share of extra savings every month. It’s not a one-time diet plan that you try and fail at. It’s a lifestyle change, one that can help you be debt-free and pave the way towards a financially secure future.

While there are small changes you can make, such as skipping expensive meals or cutting back on your weekend getaways, there are other, more dramatic changes that can help you pay off debt faster than you ever thought possible.

So without further ado, let’s dive right into the five most dramatic lifestyle changes you can make to be debt-free sooner.

Move to a smaller home

Housing is unarguably one of the biggest expenditures that eats into your monthly income. Whether you’re living in a rented home or one that you’re still paying off your mortgage on, you need to ask yourself if you really need the space you have. Downsizing, even temporarily, can help you free up extra cash that you can use to pay off your debt. While it may not be convenient, remember, you’re making the change for a better future.

Sell your car

Living without your vehicle may seem impossible. But ask yourself, is it really a necessity? UAE’s public transportation has a wide network, so hopping on and off from one place to another without your car isn’t as difficult as you think. Of course, you will lose out on the convenience factor, but you’ll also possibly eliminate a car loan and drastically reduce your transportation costs. Even if your vehicle is already paid for, you’ll completely eliminate the maintenance costs associated with it.

Let your social life take a backseat

Believe it or not, your social life may be making up a huge part of your expenses. Think of the last time you went out with your friends to catch a movie, and then ended up spending on a fancy dinner. Scale back on the amount of money you spend on socializing and you’ll find that you’re saving a lot more than you imagined. Of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll have to cut your friends out of your life. The key is to downsize, not eliminate!

Use your free time wisely

Did you know that most students studying overseas manage to pay off their education loans simply by pursuing a part-time job? If they can, so can you. Any spare time you have, use it productively to earn extra cash. The opportunities are tremendous; you can work as a teaching assistant at your university, offer tuitions, take up a job in a nearby shop or restaurant, open up an online business for handicrafts, and more. Focus on making more money, and you’ll find ways to get there.

Relocate your family back home

Education expenses and cost of living can be quite high in the UAE compared to your home country. Consider relocating your family for a short period to focus your financial resources on repaying debt. You will be able to move into a smaller home, cut back on overall living expenses and will be able to save up a significant amount of money to help settle your debts.

While it may sound like an extreme move, even a temporary arrangement can free up a huge chunk of your income. And when you’re in a financially sound place with your debt situation under control, you can move your family back to the UAE. This could end up being a move you’ll be thankful for later.

To conclude, if all you want is to pay off your debt, consider making these lifestyle changes and you’ll reach your goal sooner than you expect.