This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Now you have no excuse to go in the negative again
The one thing you can do to avoid debt (specifically debt that you’re not utilizing to build wealth) is to live below your means.
There is no other way, and there is no other answer. Even if you earn 100 billion dollars in a year, if you spend more than 100 billion dollars, you will accumulate debt and maintain a negative net worth.
So, how can you avoid debt?
Here are 40 ways you can avoid it:
Decrease your housing costs.
Eliminate subscriptions.
Increase your income.
Avoid obtaining a car note.
Avoid student loans like the plague. Work your way through school.
Stop dining out or ordering in so much.
Pick up your own groceries instead of getting them delivered.
Groom your own pets.
Add another income stream.
Use filtered water instead of bottled water.
Cut down the frequent shopping sprees.
Stop buying every new piece of fashion that catches your eye.
Wait for vacation until you can afford to pay cash for it.
Eliminate electrical and water waste. Cut down utility costs.
Stop maxing out your credit cards each month.
Put your kids in low-cost but enriching extracurricular activities.
Get rid of credit cards if you struggle to pay the monthly bill in full.
Don’t maintain multiple gym and health memberships.
Move to lower costs of living state.
Get some roommates to slash your living expenses.
Stop relying on one source of income.
Build out a one-year emergency fund.
Don’t buy into the holiday shopping trap. Don’t buy gifts you can’t afford.
Consistently educate yourself on personal finance.
Stop upgrading your technology every year.
Don’t buy luxury if you can’t afford to pay cash.
If you buy a car, buy one you can afford in cash.
All of your food doesn’t have to be organic.
Increase your hourly rate.
Leave your job for a higher-paying job. All you have to do is apply.
Stop leaving your money in zero-interest-bearing accounts.
Travel in groups so that everyone can split the costs.
Don’t buy a house that’s too big for your means. Keep your expenses low.
Sell all of the stuff you never utilize.
Stop going back to school for degrees you never utilize.
If you go to school, finish, so you don’t waste your money.
Avoid personal loans, payday loans, title loans, and exploitive loans.
Wait at least 3–7 days before you make large purchases.
Stop shopping at stores your bank account can’t afford.
Learn how to live with less because your actual needs are minimal.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.