Detain Your Debt™: Take Control Before It Controls You

Matthew Barnes
Oct 1
2 min read

Debt has a way of sneaking up on people. At first, it’s manageable—just one credit card, just one car loan. But then it multiplies. Another balance here, a student loan there, and before long, your paycheck is already spoken for before it even hits your account.

That’s why the third step in the Financial Fitness First 5™ is Detain Your Debt™. Just like in the field, when something gets out of control, you don’t ignore it—you detain it. You stop it from running wild.

Why Detaining Debt Matters

Debt is more than numbers on a statement. It’s stress. It’s limited options. It’s the weight that keeps people from moving forward. Left unchecked, it steals your ability to save, invest, or enjoy life.

Detain Your Debt™ is about taking control. It doesn’t happen by accident. It happens with a system.

When you detain debt, you:

Capture it – No more hiding from the reality of what you owe.
Control it – You decide the order of attack.
Eliminate it – One by one, the balances fall until you’re free.

Steps to Detain Your Debt™

1. Face It Head-On

Write down every balance you owe. Every credit card, every loan, every line of credit. Most people avoid this because it’s uncomfortable—but this is the first step in taking control.

2. Choose Your Strategy

Avalanche Method: Pay extra on the debt with the highest interest rate while making minimum payments on the rest. This saves the most money long-term.
Snowball Method: Pay extra on the smallest balance first, then roll that payment into the next debt. This builds momentum and quick wins.

Both work. The key is to pick one and stay disciplined.

3. Cut Off New Debt

You can’t drain the tub if the faucet is still running. Stop adding new debt while you’re working on eliminating the old.

4. Celebrate Progress

Every debt you detain is a win. Mark it, celebrate it, and use that energy to tackle the next one.

The Real Payoff

Detaining your debt isn’t just about being debt-free—it’s about freedom.

Freedom from interest stealing your paycheck.
Freedom from the stress of juggling balances.
Freedom to redirect money into savings, investing, and building wealth.

When debt is detained, you stop working for the bank and start working for yourself.

Mindset Shift

Here’s the truth: debt isn’t just math—it’s behavior. You can’t out-earn bad spending habits. That’s why Detain Your Debt™ pairs action with accountability. You need a plan, but you also need to change the way you think about debt. It’s not a tool. It’s a weight. And the sooner you get rid of it, the faster you’ll move forward.