 TITLE: How to Start Increasing Your Net Worth Today CONTENT: Pay Off What You Owe\n--------------------\nHaving liabilities isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially if your interest rates are low and your monthly payments are affordable. But if you have a negative net worth or your debt is keeping you from achieving your ideal number, work on getting out of debt.\nTo do this, start by listing everything you owe. Then target your highest-interest debts, such as credit cards and subprime loans, first. Then work down the line to lower interest rates. Alternatively, you can start with the debt with the lowest balance and work your way up to the one with the highest balance.\nAs you're working to pay down your debt, consider calling your creditors—especially credit card companies—and asking for a lower interest rate. While you may not be successful every time, you may get a pleasant surprise from at least one of them.\nIf you're dealing with very high interest rates, consider using a balance transfer credit card or a debt consolidation loan to help lower your interest rates and give you a head start on eliminating your debt.\nAs you pay down your debt, your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), which is a key factor lenders consider when you apply for a loan or credit card, will also go down. A lower DTI can also help increase your credit score, giving you more opportunities to qualify for credit at favorable rates. END