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The Motivation shelf

5 essays in this section.
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The month you make a payment and feel nothing
Motivation 5 min
The month you make a payment and feel nothing

The month you make a payment and feel nothing

Somewhere between month three and month fourteen, the urgency fades. You're still paying. You're just not feeling it anymore. That numbness...
The guilt that comes after a good month
Motivation 5 min
The guilt that comes after a good month

The guilt that comes after a good month

You paid extra, stayed on budget, did everything right — and then felt oddly worse. That reaction is more common than anyone talks about, an...
The month you stop tracking is usually the month things slide
Motivation 5 min
The month you stop tracking is usually the month things slide

The month you stop tracking is usually the month things slide

Most people don't blow up a debt payoff plan with one big decision. They stop looking at the numbers for a few weeks, and that's enough.
The strange relief of knowing exactly how long it will take
Motivation 5 min
The strange relief of knowing exactly how long it will take

The strange relief of knowing exactly how long it will take

Most people in debt are afraid to do the math. But vague dread tends to be heavier than a specific number — even when that number is bigger...
Motivation 5 min
How to Stay Motivated While Paying Off Debt

How to Stay Motivated While Paying Off Debt

The psychological tricks and practical strategies that keep you going when debt payoff feels endless.