| Debt relief is on everyone's mind. It seems like | | | | you rather do: forget debt relief and keep the |
| almost everyone is in debt up to their eyeballs, | | | | unused widgets, or give up the widgets for a |
| and whoever isn't in debt like that knows | | | | while, and burn off your debt quickly and |
| someone who is. Here is the first in a three-part | | | | permanently? |
| series of articles that reveals the most important | | | | Now, the last point to follow is this: a yard sale will |
| techniques you can immediately work to starting | | | | get you fast money, but heavily discounted. For |
| dropping your debt with amazing speed. | | | | bigger-ticket items, I recommend either a local |
| This first method is, simply put, to immediately | | | | classified ad run (online or paper), or, my favorite, |
| find an influx of fresh money to jump-start your | | | | eBay. |
| debt relief. Take the idea of a yard sale and put it | | | | I have generated many thousands of dollars |
| on overdrive, and you can have a few thousand | | | | throughout the years by selling old or unused |
| extra dollars right away. | | | | music gear, tools, etc., on eBay. Be warned that |
| First, it is a good idea to quickly (not painstakingly) | | | | their fees have gone up through the years, and |
| go through your stuff and identify the items that, | | | | it's not a free venue by any means, but eBay has |
| although they may have intrinsic value, you really | | | | a huge buying audience, and you can get a large |
| won't use anymore. These are good items put | | | | influx of cash really fast by holding an eBay "yard |
| actually sell at a yard sale. | | | | sale." |
| But that's not what you should do -- at least not | | | | And once you have that extra cash in, do not |
| yet. | | | | blow it on more stuff. This is your big chance to |
| Additionally, you should find the items that you | | | | pay off the lesser debt, maybe even retire one |
| actually like. High tickets items like cameras, | | | | or two obligations 100%. That will, in turn, free up |
| telescopes, ATVs, windsurfers, mountain bikes, | | | | monthly money to pay other debts faster -- the |
| firearms, tools, collectibles (like Lladro or Hummel) | | | | old "debt avalanche." As you build momentum, the |
| -- these items are about to become your cash | | | | debts disappear faster and faster. It's only at the |
| cow. | | | | beginning that the debt avalanche can be |
| Moment of truth, here. If you have items like | | | | discouraging, and that's why so many people fail |
| these, and you haven't used them in six months | | | | before they even get it rolling well. |
| or more, then you should seriously consider selling | | | | Don't you do it! Take this eBay money and retire |
| them now, paying your debt, and doing without | | | | a dental bill or a department store card, or |
| them until your debt is gone. Once that happens, | | | | several of them. Pay off as much as you can |
| you can easily save the money to buy newer | | | | right away so you can cut months or years off |
| versions of the items you sold, guilt-free. | | | | of the debt avalanche schedule. Your end result is |
| I've done this. It hurts, but I did it, and I got the | | | | total debt relief, and much higher peace of mind |
| debts paid -- and so can you. Really! Which would | | | | and self-respect. Believe me, it's worth it! |