• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Trump, who has repeatedly called climate change fake, is now threatening Brazil with tariffs over the deforestation of the Amazon

2

Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military

3

'We are rapidly running out of time': Watchdog sounds Social Security alarm after 22% cut confirmed for 2032

1

Trump, who has repeatedly called climate change fake, is now threatening Brazil with tariffs over the deforestation of the Amazon

2

Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military

3

'We are rapidly running out of time': Watchdog sounds Social Security alarm after 22% cut confirmed for 2032
LeadershipDebt

7 ways to be debt-free for the rest of your life

By
Entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
Down Arrow Button Icon
October 6, 2015, 11:14 AM ET
6492-000012
Money Falling From SkyPhotograph by Getty Images

This post is in partnership with Entrepreneur. The article below was originally published at entrepreneur.com.

By Daniel Ally, Entrepreneur

When it comes to money, some people act funny.

I was buying a new suit at Nordstrom yesterday and had a delightful conversation with the sales clerk. She was extremely smart–until she started talking about money.

“I don’t know how people eat out every day. It’s too expensive. I can only do it once in a while, but not on a daily basis. I’d rather cook.” After cringing, I asked her, “Why do you say it’s too expensive?”

She continued, “I have all these college loans. They just weigh me down. It seems like I can’t do anything until I get out of debt. I basically have two full-time jobs and three kids to feed.”

Thankfully, I paid off my college bill ($50,000) and credit-card bills ($50,000) with ease last year, so I clearly understood her dilemma. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time to tell her what I’m about to tell you. I think it will make a lot of sense (or dollars):

You can’t make dollars if you can’t make sense.

If you keep thinking about debt, you will attract it. However, if you think about wealth, you will attract it, too. In short, you have to stop thinking about paying off your debts and think about earning wealth.

Let me explain this concept further: When you think about debt, you’re inviting thoughts of despair, poverty, and the feeling of being overwhelmed. This forces you to think about putting in long hours and makes you believe that you’ll be paying your bills endlessly, which is a painful and miserable experience.

On the opposite side of the continuum of debt, you have wealth. Of course, earning money is a better experience than paying people whom you owe. When you focus on earning money, your debts will take care of themselves. Focusing on wealth leads you to have pleasurable, prospering, and powerful thoughts.

Here are seven quick tips for getting out of debt for the rest of your life:

1. Think About Wealth, Not Debts

Since you think about money every day of you life, you might as well have good thoughts about it. When you think about gaining money, you’ll be more creative. If you think about debts, you’ll die.

2. Pay Your Bills Willingly

The next time you get a bill, fine, or fee, pay it willingly. If you pay it painfully, you’re admitting two things: 1) That money is hard to come by, and 2) You don’t enjoy the services that you’re getting.

3. Bless Everything You Have

Appreciating your substance only allows you to have more of it. You’re basically telling the universe or God, “More of this, please.” Take inventory of everything you have and appreciate it. You’ve got to take what you get to get more of what you want.

4. Get Away From Broke People

There’s a ton of people who will share their gospels about wealth. Stay away from these folks. Many people are charlatans when it comes to earning money. Seek richer friends instead. They’ll help you get to where you need to be.

5. Don’t Speak of Debt

Words have prospering power, but they also have poverty power. If you’re sharing your poverty (or debts) with others, you’re enslaving people with your thoughts. Instead, speak wealthy thoughts.

6. Go To Wealthy Places

Go and test drive a Rolls Royce and get the experience of a lifetime. You may even want to visit a few million-dollar mansions once per month. Surrounding yourself with prosperity will make your richer. You’ll start asking yourself, “How can I get this?”

7. Buy Luxury Goods

When you purchase items from the luxury market, no matter how small it is, you will automatically feel richer. For instance, every week, I went to Pier 1 to buy gold forks. As I began to accumulate more superior products, my self-esteem increased, which affected my bank account.

Earning wealth is a more pleasurable experience than paying off debts, don’t you think? After all, you’ll be earning more money this way and enjoying the ride in the process. When it’s all done, you’ll have fun stroking big checks to the loan department. In the meanwhile, focus on accumulating wealth!

More from Entrepreneur:

Successful Entrepreneurs Never Commit This Crime

The Secret Formula to Gaining Massive Wealth

7 Ways to Network Like a Millionaire

About the Author
By Entrepreneur
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Leadership

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Leadership

AI isn’t replacing Hyatt’s salespeople—it’s freeing up a full day of work every week, according to the CEO
AIBrainstorm Tech
AI isn’t replacing Hyatt’s salespeople—it’s freeing up a full day of work every week, according to the CEO
By Sharon GoldmanJune 9, 2026
4 hours ago
The AI industry spent years chasing bigger models. Now it’s chasing efficiency
AIBrainstorm Tech
The AI industry spent years chasing bigger models. Now it’s chasing efficiency
By Sharon GoldmanJune 9, 2026
5 hours ago
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma speaks on stage at Fortune Brainstorm Tech 2026.
Big TechMicrosoft
‘Not an Allbirds Moment’: Xbox’s new CEO says she is grounding the console in gaming roots, not AI
By Sebastian HerreraJune 9, 2026
6 hours ago
BP’s new CEO Meg O’Neill rips up the energy giant’s playbook—and the ‘green’ era with it
EnergyBP
BP’s new CEO Meg O’Neill rips up the energy giant’s playbook—and the ‘green’ era with it
By Jordan BlumJune 9, 2026
6 hours ago
Three people having a seated discussion
AIBrainstorm Tech
‘Getting control where we can’: Europe wants sovereign AI, but most of the chips are from the U.S.
By Amanda GerutJune 9, 2026
7 hours ago
Opening offices in 120 countries is ‘not a badge of honor’—pick 30 instead says iconic former tech CEO
C-SuiteBrainstorm Tech
Opening offices in 120 countries is ‘not a badge of honor’—pick 30 instead says iconic former tech CEO
By Jeff John RobertsJune 9, 2026
9 hours ago

Most Popular

Trump, who has repeatedly called climate change fake, is now threatening Brazil with tariffs over the deforestation of the Amazon
Environment
Trump, who has repeatedly called climate change fake, is now threatening Brazil with tariffs over the deforestation of the Amazon
By Sasha RogelbergJune 8, 2026
1 day ago
Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military
Asia
Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military
By Kate O'Keeffe and BloombergJune 8, 2026
1 day ago
'We are rapidly running out of time': Watchdog sounds Social Security alarm after 22% cut confirmed for 2032
Economy
'We are rapidly running out of time': Watchdog sounds Social Security alarm after 22% cut confirmed for 2032
By Nick LichtenbergJune 9, 2026
8 hours ago
Current price of oil as of June 8, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 8, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 8, 2026
1 day ago
Gen Zers are arriving at college unable to even read a sentence—professors warn it could lead to a generation of anxious and lonely graduates
Success
Gen Zers are arriving at college unable to even read a sentence—professors warn it could lead to a generation of anxious and lonely graduates
By Preston ForeJune 7, 2026
2 days ago
Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
Success
Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
By Preston ForeJune 8, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.