Guides / Know your debt
Start here: list every debt
Balance, rate, minimum and due date, all on one page.
It's tempting not to look. But almost everyone who pays off debt starts the same way: writing every debt down. It turns a fog of worry into a list you can work through.
For each debt, write down
- Who you owe
- Current balance
- Interest rate (APR)
- Minimum monthly payment
- Due date
- Any promotional rate and when it ends
Where to find it
- Your latest statements or online accounts
- Your free credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com, the official site, which lists most accounts
- StudentAid.gov for federal student loans
Then
Add up the minimums. That's the amount your budget must cover every month before anything else extra.
General educational information, not financial or legal advice. Nickel Keepers isn't paid by any lender, card company or debt relief company.