生活英語聽力文章：教你擺脫債務的10個方法
10 Tips to Getting Out of Debt
十招幫你擺脫債務!
Are you tired of carrying the stress and pressure of being in debt? If so, are you willing to put together a plan and do whatever it takes to get out of debt?
你是否因為背負著債務的壓力和壓迫而感到很累?如果真的是這樣，你愿意設計一個計劃盡一切努力去還清債務嗎?
Here are ten tips that will help you get out of debt.
這里有十招可以幫你擺脫債務。
1. Get motivated. The only way you will get out of debt is if getting out of debt is important to you. Make a list of the reasons you want to get out of debt. Ideas might include: it’s putting pressure on your marriage; it’s putting stress on your body; you want to live a financially responsible life; you want to be able to put your children through college; you want to save for retirement.
1.激發(fā)斗志。只有一個方法可以幫你擺脫債務，那就是還清債務對你來說非常重要。列一個清單，寫上所有你想擺脫債務的原因。想法可能包括：它給你的婚姻增加了壓力;它使你的身體感到壓力很大;你想過對財務負責任的生活;你希望你的孩子能夠讀完大學;你想為退休儲蓄。
2. Understand your debts. Identify and list all your debts showing the total due, the interest rate, finances charges, late fees, and over-the-limit charges. Then total all your debt, finance charges, and fees. By understanding your debt and associated fees, you will be able to make better decisions.
2.理解你的債務。列出并確定你所有到期的債務，利率、財務費用、滯納金和超額費用。然后是你所有債務的總和，包括財務費用和規(guī)費。通過了解你的債務和相關費用,您將能夠做出更好的決策。
3. Create a budget. Putting together and living by a household budget is critical to getting out of debt. Furthermore, it is part of living a financially responsible life. If you don’t know how to put together a budget, click the link above and/or seek help from a respected friend or family member.
3.創(chuàng)建一個預算。整合和生活的家庭預算的債務是至關重要的。此外,它是負責任的財務生活的一部分。如果你不知道如何去整合預算，點擊上面的鏈接或者從一個受人尊敬的朋友或家人中尋求幫助。
4. Log every penny you spend. Carry a small notebook you can put into your pocket or purse, or use your mobile device to log everything you buy, even if it is a $.50 candy bar. As you spend money, ask yourself “Is this absolutely necessary?” or “Is there a less expensive option?” At the end of the month, go over your expenditures and look for things you can eliminate the following month.
4.用日志記錄你花的每一分錢。準備一個可以放進你口袋或者手提袋里的小筆記本，或者用你的手機記錄你花的每一筆錢，哪怕只是0.5美元的糖果。當你花錢時，問一下自己：這是不是我絕對需要的?或者是：有沒有更便宜的選擇?在月底，回顧一下你的支出并去尋找你不必要的。
5. Negotiate with your creditors. Call your creditors, explain your situation and ask for their help. I have heard countless stories from people I know who have been successful in negotiating lower interest rates, having late fees reversed, skipping payments, and lowering monthly payments. You will often be amazed at what creditors will do to help you, if you just ask.
5.與你的債權人談判。打電話給你的債權人，解釋一下你的處境，并尋求他們的幫助。我曾聽說過無數故事，我記得的，通過與債權人談判成功的降低了利率的，滯納金逆轉的,不支付的和降低月供的人。如果你只是問，你會經常驚訝于債權人對你的幫助。
6. Increase your income. If you are working less than 40 hours a week, consider all options available to increase your hours. If you are already working 40 hours a week, consider a part-time job or side business. Above all, focus on increasing the value you bring to the market. As you build your value, your income will follow.
6.增加你的收入。如果你每周的工作都低于四十個小時，考慮一下所有可以增加你時間的選擇。如果你已經完成了這四個小時的工作，考慮一下兼職或者副業(yè)。最重要的是,專注于提高你給市場帶來的價值。只要你創(chuàng)造了價值，你就會有收入。
7. Use cash instead of credit cards. Keep one card and use it only for emergencies or major necessities, such as your furnace or air conditioner breaking down. Put your credit card in a safe place and make a commitment not to use it for everyday purchases. Do not accept credit increases or cards from other credit card companies.
7.使用現金而不是信用卡。保持使用一個卡,使用它只用于緊急情況或重大生活必需品,比如你的爐或空調壞掉。把你的信用卡放在一個安全的地方,并承諾日常生活不去使用它。不接受其他信用卡公司信貸或者增加信用卡。
8. Change your habits. Take a minute and consider some of your expensive habits such as eating out, having an afternoon latte, drinking a diet soda every day, browsing through stores, or drinking with your friends after work. These little expenditures add up to big dollars.
8.改變你的習慣?；ㄒ环昼?考慮你的一些花錢的習慣，例如外出就餐,下午拿鐵咖啡,每天喝無糖汽水，瀏覽商店或者工作之后和你的朋友一起喝酒。這些小支出加起來就是大元。
9. Pay off your debt with the highest interest rate first. Select the bill with the highest interest rate and pay it first. When it is paid off, close the account so you are not tempted to use it again. Continue this process, one account at a time, until all your accounts are paid in full. When using this method, measure your progress by watching your overall debt decrease.
9.還清你利率最高的債務。選擇第一個還清你利率最高的債務。付清時,關閉帳戶,你不要嘗試再次使用它。繼續(xù)這個過程,一次一個帳戶,直到你所有的賬戶都全部付清。當使用這種方法時,通過觀察你的總體債務減少來權衡你的進步。
There are other methods, such as the Debt-snowball Method, but paying your debts with the highest interest rates first is the smartest.
還有其他的方法,如債務雪球的方法,但是最聰明的是首先支付你的債務利率最高的債務。
10. Shop smarter. Stop paying retail prices for anything you buy. Start shopping at discount stores, thrift stores, and resale shops. Use shopping comparison websites such as Biz Rate, Price Grabber and Shop Zilla and make sure you are getting the best price for what you are buying.
10.聰明的購物。停止支付你所有零售價格的東西。開始在折扣店購物,舊貨店,轉售商店中購買。對比著使用購物網站，如商業(yè)利率,價格掠奪者和商店Zilla并確保你得到東西是以最合適的價格購買的。
If you are in debt, I challenge you to make the decision right now that you are going to put together a plan to eliminate your debt. Let today be the day you say, “Enough is enough, I am going to take control of my finances and get out of debt.”
