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Step 1
Look up different financial programs, and try to find free-trial versions of them. The features of these programs might be very restricted, but you may still have access to some basic calculations. For example, a free version might let you calculate the amount your payments would drop if you consolidate your loans, but it may only let you see the data for the consolidation of two loans.
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Step 2
Search for budget creation information. Many sites offer different household budget information to help you visualize your expenses and see exactly how much you need to make each month.
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Step 3
Pay your bills online. Many companies let you sign up for email reminders when it gets close to a monthly deadline. If you're particularly computer savvy, it may be faster and easier for you to pay online than it is to do the paperwork and mail it in.
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Step 4
Read through the financial archives at various media websites. Many TV networks have free columns that deal with issues related to debt and personal finance. You may even be able to submit questions about your specific situation to the writer of the column.
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Step 5
Join a financial forum to speak with other people in similar financial situations. There are many forums that can be excellent sources of advice, like the Cardratings forum (see Resources below). Remember, however, that the advice on these forums may not come from a professional debt manager.
