And let’s face it, being free from debt, just feels better than the alternative.

But here’s the thing, debt free Christian living doesn’t come by accident, or wishful thinking. In fact, living debt free is a choice that you must make everyday in every financial decision you encounter. And just like making new years resolutions to get fit, spend more time with family and friends or to read your bible everyday, it can be hard to stay committed to your decision.

So what is the solution?

Here are three easy ‘Christian Debt Free Living Secrets’ to keeping you committed to stay out of debt forever.

Christian Debt Free Living Secret #1

The first this you have to do is… get out of debt! Whether you do it by Debt Consolidation, Credit Counseling or just good old fashion paying it off, you have to eliminate your debt to live debt free.

Now, Christian debt free living does NOT have to mean that you never use credit again. In fact, credit can not only be a very convenient way to live, but it can be essential to meeting your financial goals of getting a mortgage, buying a car or even ensuring the lowest possible car insurance.

The point is not to eliminate debt and credit from your life, but to master the use so that you control the debt, not the debt controlling you.

For some that may mean that you never charge a balance larger than you can pay off when the bill comes, but for others, it means you don’t take your credit cards with you EVER, because you know you will spend more than you can afford.

Christian Debt Free Living Secret #2

Make a plan to stay debt free. You have to make a plan because, as I have said before, living debt free doesn’t happen by chance. It is a choice you have to make each day. And in order to keep your sanity, living by a pre-made plan is the only way to keep from being consumed with the daily temptations that will lure you back into a cycle of debt.

Your plan should consist of good money management focused in three specific areas. First, you have to have a budget. They are painful, they are often ugly (when things we think we want do balance with our incomes), but they are essential to being a debt free Christian.

Next, you have to set priorities. Without priorities, the daily temptations are too hard to ignore. When you know you are saving for a new car, house or pair of shoes, it makes it a lot easier to walk past the killer deal on that thing you don’t really need.

Lastly your plan has to make room for emergencies. They are going to happen. And just like you know the phone bill, house payment and electric bill are all coming due next month, so are emergencies a part of what you need to allow for. Otherwise, you will be sunk back into debt and debt free Christian living will only be a memory of the past.

Christian Debt Free Living Secret #3

Stick to it! Once you are out of debt and have a plan to stay that way, stick with it. There is nothing easier than falling off the wagon of your debt freedom if you don’t stay committed, even when everything else seems better.

Here are 3 quick ways to make sure you stick with your choice to live debt free.

1. Remember the pain of being in debt. There was a time when you couldn’t sleep. Creditors were hounding you and you longed for the day it would all be behind you. Just don’t forget where you came from.
2. Remember what is important to you. Is it more important to save up for a house, your children’s college or is spending now and risking your future worth what ever you are thinking of entering debt to get.
3. Lastly, stay away from temptation. If you know you have troubles when you peruse the mall, then don’t go hang out for the day. Or if you see that your neighbor just got a new car, ease the temptation by remembering that they just got a new bill that comes to their house also.

So that’s it, the secrets to living your Christian life completely debt free.

Hope it helps you as much as it has helped me.

Chad