The 14 steps that actually move your debt to zero.

A no-shame walkthrough you can knock out in an afternoon. Print it, save it, or work through it alongside the planner.

1. 1

   Gather your numbers

   • List every debt with balance, APR, and minimum payment.
   • Note your monthly take-home income (after tax).
   • Tally your essential bills (rent, utilities, groceries, transport).
   • Find your last statement for each card to confirm the APR.
2. 2

   Decide how much you can throw at debt

   • Pick a realistic extra amount you can put toward debt each month.
   • Look for one subscription or recurring charge to cut for 90 days.
   • Set a hard ceiling on new credit-card spending while you pay down.
3. 3

   Pick a payoff method

   • Snowball — smallest balance first, for motivation.
   • Avalanche — highest APR first, for the biggest interest savings.
   • Run your numbers in the planner so you can see both side by side.
4. 4

   Lock in your plan

   • Set a target debt-free date and put it on your calendar.
   • Automate at least the minimum payment on every account.
   • Schedule a 10-minute monthly check-in to update your numbers.
   • Email yourself a copy of the plan so you can come back to it.