How to get (and stay) motivated when your debt feels overwhelming

We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms.

September 22, 2026 / 11:18 AM EDT / CBS News

Paying off your debt can seem like a relatively straightforward task on paper: You make your monthly payments, avoid adding new charges to the balance and put extra money toward what you owe whenever possible. However, balances are moving in the opposite direction for many borrowers right now. Over the past 12 months, 45% of Gen Z respondents saw their debt increase, according to a new study by Accredited Debt Relief, as did 39% of millennials, 34% of Gen X and 30% of baby boomers.

That can make sticking with a repayment plan particularly difficult. And, when a hefty portion of your payment is absorbed by high-rate interest charges, you may send hundreds of dollars to your creditors without seeing your balances fall by nearly as much. Add in a month when you can't make an extra payment — or have to put an unexpected expense on a card — and it can start to feel like you're barely making progress.

But losing motivation doesn't necessarily mean your debt payoff…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/moneywatch/