8 Small Steps to Start Tackling Your Debt in 10 Minutes

"Getting out of debt" is a big goal that can be overwhelming. Where should you start?

Often, the biggest challenge is getting started at all. Here are 8 small steps you could take today - all in less than 10 minutes - to gain a little more control over your debt. Each one is free, fast, and designed to help you spend less on your cards, get motivated, and make a plan for next steps.

Make it harder to spend on your credit cards

The first step in stopping the cycle of debt is to stop spending on your credit cards. This can be especially hard when it's too easy or convenient to spend money without thinking about it. Try these moves to interrupt the spending that you do on autopilot.

1. Put your credit cards out of reach

This small change helps break the “swipe and regret” cycle. It gives you a few extra seconds to pause before making purchases you don’t truly need.

Try this in the next 10 minutes:

• Take your cards out of your wallet and place them somewhere safe but inconvenient, like a dresser drawer. Put cash or your debit card in there instead.

• Consider the 5 websites where you do the most impulse spending. Delete your saved card information from those accounts. Having to get your card and re-enter the info may be just inconvenient enough to make you think twice during checkout.

2. Move your bills to debit or eCheck

Your goal is to spend $0 on your credit cards. That's hard to do if your water bill or streaming services are charging there automatically.

Do this right now:

• Make sure none of your utility and insurance bills are going on your credit card

• Check on your subscriptions and switch the billing to debit (for bonus points, take this time to cancel any you're not using!)

Make sure to note these changes and plan to have enough in your checking account to cover these charges.

3. Delete the apps

It sounds extreme, but it helps. If you really need to order something, you can always log in (and then back out!) on the website. You don't need these icons on your homescreen making it easier to spend.

Get rid of:

• Food or retail delivery apps

• Retailers or dedicated shopping apps

• Sportsbetting or other gambling apps

Find a little more money

Your long-term debt strategy should include looking for ways to increase your income and decrease expense. Here are some ways to start small that you could tackle right now.

4. Pick one expense to cut — just one

You don’t have to overhaul your whole budget today. Cutting one small, recurring expense can help you get started.

Quick ideas:

• Cancel a subscription service you can live without. If you're not ready to commit to that, try pausing it for a month and see how that feels.

• Switch from delivery to pickup once a week.

• Commit to packing lunch or coffee one more day each week.

• Been meaning to check out low-cost phone carriers? Time to make the switch!

Even an extra $10 to $20 a week can meaningfully speed up your progress.

5. Redirect found money toward debt

Any time extra money comes your way—cashback rewards, refunds, or a small bonus—you can shrink your debt faster.

Right now:

• Check if you have unused cashback on any of your credit cards. Apply them directly to your balance.

• Dig up any unused gift cards and consider how you could use them to offset your spending.

• That Amazon return you keep forgetting to make? Do it!

It may feel small, but you don't want to waste any opportunity to chip away at your debt.

Focus on your motivation

Getting out of debt is a marathon, not a sprint. Having a "why" to come back to will help you stay focused when you have to make sacrifices on your debt-free journey.

6. Create a visual reminder for yourself

Staying motivated is easier when your goals stay visible every single day.

Try this:

• Set a daily or weekly phone reminder with a title like “Financial freedom is worth it!" or whatever will be meaningful to you.

• Pick a photo or visual that reminds you of what you're working towards. Stick it on your fridge, your lock screen, or whever you'll see it every day.

It’s a quick mindset boost that keeps you focused.

7. Have "the talk"

If you share finances with a spouse or partner, it's important you're on the same page. Spend a few minutes about your shared goal of getting out of debt and how you'll work together to get there.

You might discuss:

• How can we stay accountable to our budget?
• What sacrifices are we willing to make to get out of debt sooner?
• What opportunities do we have to increase our household income?

Later, you'll want to talk strategy and make a concrete plan for all your payments. More on that below.

Get organized and make a plan

You've committed to your debt-free journey. Now it's time to get tactical - how will you pay it off? Which accounts do you start with? You need a strategy.

8. Sign up for Payoff Genius

Payoff Genius helps you see all your debt in one place and create a smart plan to pay it off. We'll help you build a strategy that fits your budget and optimizes your payments to save you money on interest.

In the first 10 minutes on Payoff Genius, you will:

• See your total debt and when you're on track to pay it off

• Determine how much you can afford to pay each month

• Learn where to direct your payments to maximize their value
  
  
• Have a built-in partner for your debt-free journey

Having a plan you can stick to is the most important factor in your success. We're here for you every step of the way.

Our Free plan is ad-free and will stay free forever. We also offer Pro plans that help you save time and track your credit score. You can try Pro free for 30 days.

Give yourself some credit (no pun intended)

Change doesn't happen overnight. Small, consistent steps like these are the basis for changing your habits.

Getting started is the hardest part, and if you did even one task on this list today, you did that! Congratulations. Keep building momentum - your future self will thank you.