Frugality and hard work led to a debt-free lifestyle in five years for Russell and Kathy Hildebrandt of New Richmond, Wis., who successfully paid off $106,000 in credit card and personal debt.
Several steps were key to making the plan work. They eliminated discretionary spending. She began buying generic food and shopping at thrift stores for clothing purchases. They stopped exchanging Christmas and birthday gifts with each other and their relatives.