Earning decent money and still can't get out of debt? This is the debt payoff plan I use myself, step by step, built to survive real life instead of a perfect month.

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Paying off the smallest balance first is the advice you'll hear everywhere. It helps, but not much if you're still spending more than you earn each month, or a big chunk of every payment is going on interest.

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So this covers the whole picture: debt snowball vs debt avalanche, which debt to pay off first, whether a 0% balance transfer or a debt consolidation loan would actually save you money (with the maths on screen), and how to work out what your life really costs each month. Plus the one situation where I wouldn't throw every freed-up pound at the next debt.

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It's UK-based, so you'll hear council tax, StepChange and MoneyHelper. If you're somewhere else, the steps still apply; look for the free debt advice service in your own country.

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Before you pick your first move, it helps to see where your money is actually going. The Freedom Leak Map is a free workbook that shows where your money, time, energy and opportunities are quietly leaking, and which one to fix first → https://mariecowgill.com/0020-leakmap-podcast

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💛 FREE UK DEBT SUPPORT

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If you're struggling to cover essentials or keep up with repayments, you don't have to figure it out alone—or wait until things get worse.

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StepChange — free debt advice:

https://www.stepchange.org/how-we-help/debt-advice.aspx

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MoneyHelper — find free, confidential debt advice:

https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/money-troubles/dealing-with-debt/debt-advice-locator

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📚 FURTHER READING

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Balance transfers — fees, eligibility and what happens when the introductory rate ends:

https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/credit/deciding-whether-to-transfer-your-credit-card-balance

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Debt consolidation — affordability, total costs and risks:

https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/everyday-money/credit/debt-consolidation-loans

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Which bills and debts to prioritise:

https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/money-troubles/cost-of-living/bill-prioritiser

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This video shares my personal experience and general information. The right route depends on your circumstances.

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MORE FROM ME

Start here → https://mariecowgill.com/starthere

All free resources → https://mariecowgill.com/resources

The Freedom Playbook → https://mariecowgill.com/playbook

Work with me → https://mariecowgill.com/workwithmarie

Everything else → https://mariecowgill.com/start

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This channel is education and general discussion. It reflects my own experience, research and opinions — not personalised financial advice.

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I am not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority, and nothing here should be treated as a recommendation to buy, sell, hold or avoid any specific investment, product or provider. Any numbers or examples I share are illustrative of my own situation, not a guarantee or projection for yours. Past performance is not a reliable guide to future results, and all investing carries risk, including the risk of loss.

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If you're making a decision about your own money, please get regulated financial advice specific to your circumstances before acting.