7. Pay off debt aggressively
Once you retire, interest payments on debt can eat up your limited income, making it difficult to pay off loan balances. Now, in your highest earning years, is the time to aggressively eliminate non-mortgage debt, from credit card balances to auto loans and other debts.
Don’t let pride stop you from getting help if you need it. You owe it to yourself and your family not to stick your head in the sand.
If loan payments are feeling unmanageable, you may benefit from taking out a consolidation loan to lower your interest rates and help you focus on a single payment. A trustworthy nonprofit credit-counseling agency can help you set goals, make a repayment plan and negotiate with your creditors if necessary.
