Ah, to be debt-free. Sounds appealing, doesn’t it? Imagine not owing one plug nickel to a single soul. And not having a stack of bills piled high on your desk every month. Talk about true freedom!

Living a debt-free life ultimately comes down to one very important decision: You can choose to buy “things” whenever you want them (which, unfortunately, often requires putting those items on credit) OR you can opt to SAVE for what you want ... or even forgo some of those finer (and pricier) things in life altogether.

It’s not so difficult, really, once you change your mindset. Ken and I (Daria here) have been debt-free for all but the very early years of our marriage. Since we paid off those bills oh-so-long ago, we’ve been living rich every day!

So what follows are 10 key steps that you can and should take to live a financially-healthy life — free from headaches, worries and, of course, those seemingly never-ending bills. Take a look ...

Next: Step #1:Assess EVERYTHING You Owe

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | next

   

10 Fabulous Freebies

We're not pulling any fast ones here, folks. Check out our 10 favorite freebies and stop spending money where you don't need to! Read More.

Rates Fall Below 6%: Time to Refinance?

Before you call us crazy, let's take a look at how refinancing could work to your benefit right now. Read More.

6 Credit Score Secrets

Your credit score affects everything from your interest rate to getting approved for a loan. We're unlocking six secrets to help you keep it in top shape. Play Video.

How to Deal With Debt Collectors

Piles of bills often equals harassing phone calls from debt collectors. Make sure you know your rights and fight back! Play Video.

Report: U.S. in 14 Month Recession

A roller-coaster economy like ours can leave you feeling uneasy and unprotected. We want to put you back in the driver's seat! Take control with these 9 steps. Read More.

Watch Those Overdraft Fees!

Granted, it is so convenient being able to withdraw money from your account at any bank's ATM. But watch those fees! Daria Dolan tells you how to plan ahead to avoid unnecessary costs. Read More.

Housing Prices Take Biggest Tumble Ever

President Bush signed a housing bill into law to bail out the mortgage companies and offer relief to struggling homeowners. Is this the right fix? Read More.