生活英语听力文章：教你摆脱债务的10个方法

　

　10 Tips to Getting Out of Debt

　　十招帮你摆脱债务!

　　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?

　　你是否因为背负着债务的压力和压迫而感到很累?如果真的是这样，你愿意设计一个计划尽一切努力去还清债务吗?

　　Here are ten tips that will help you get out of debt.

　　这里有十招可以帮你摆脱债务。

　　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.激发斗志。只有一个方法可以帮你摆脱债务，那就是还清债务对你来说非常重要。列一个清单，写上所有你想摆脱债务的原因。想法可能包括：它给你的婚姻增加了压力;它使你的身体感到压力很大;你想过对财务负责任的生活;你希望你的孩子能够读完大学;你想为退休储蓄。

　　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.理解你的债务。列出并确定你所有到期的债务，利率、财务费用、滞纳金和超额费用。然后是你所有债务的总和，包括财务费用和规费。通过了解你的债务和相关费用,您将能够做出更好的决策。

　　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.创建一个预算。整合和生活的家庭预算的债务是至关重要的。此外,它是负责任的财务生活的一部分。如果你不知道如何去整合预算，点击上面的链接或者从一个受人尊敬的朋友或家人中寻求帮助。

　　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.用日志记录你花的每一分钱。准备一个可以放进你口袋或者手提袋里的小笔记本，或者用你的手机记录你花的每一笔钱，哪怕只是0.5美元的糖果。当你花钱时，问一下自己：这是不是我绝对需要的?或者是：有没有更便宜的选择?在月底，回顾一下你的支出并去寻找你不必要的。

　　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.与你的债权人谈判。打电话给你的债权人，解释一下你的处境，并寻求他们的帮助。我曾听说过无数故事，我记得的，通过与债权人谈判成功的降低了利率的，滞纳金逆转的,不支付的和降低月供的人。如果你只是问，你会经常惊讶于债权人对你的帮助。

　　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个小时，考虑一下所有可以增加你时间的选择。如果你已经完成了这四个小时的工作，考虑一下兼职或者副业。最重要的是,专注于提高你给市场带来的价值。只要你创造了价值，你就会有收入。

　　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.使用现金而不是信用卡。保持使用一个卡,使用它只用于紧急情况或重大生活必需品,比如你的炉或空调坏掉。把你的信用卡放在一个安全的地方,并承诺日常生活不去使用它。不接受其他信用卡公司信贷或者增加信用卡。

　　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.改变你的习惯。花一分钟,考虑你的一些花钱的习惯，例如外出就餐,下午拿铁咖啡,每天喝无糖汽水，浏览商店或者工作之后和你的朋友一起喝酒。这些小支出加起来就是大元。

　　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.还清你利率最高的债务。选择第一个还清你利率最高的债务。付清时,关闭帐户,你不要尝试再次使用它。继续这个过程,一次一个帐户,直到你所有的账户都全部付清。当使用这种方法时,通过观察你的总体债务减少来权衡你的进步。

　　There are other methods, such as the Debt-snowball Method, but paying your debts with the highest interest rates first is the smartest.

　　还有其他的方法,如债务雪球的方法,但是最聪明的是首先支付你的债务利率最高的债务。

　　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.聪明的购物。停止支付你所有零售价格的东西。开始在折扣店购物,旧货店,转售商店中购买。对比着使用购物网站，如商业利率,价格掠夺者和商店Zilla并确保你得到东西是以最合适的价格购买的。

　　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.”