| Do you dream about being debt free some day? | | | | sales and be patient.b) Cook at home a lot more |
| This can be a reality if you follow some basic | | | | often. Freeze leftovers. Plan you food needs for |
| rules and do what it takes. To start down the | | | | the week. Make your lunch for work instead of |
| road to financial freedom you need to do a few | | | | buying it each day.c) Read magazines, get DVDs |
| things first. Are you ready? Let's go. | | | | and Videos for free from your local library.d) |
| Tip #1. You need to admit there is a problem. | | | | Take up a hobby. Get busy - shop less. Maybe |
| Is there not enough cash coming in or is it spent | | | | your hobby can create some income?e) Give up |
| too quickly, or both? Is the money being spent on | | | | the coffee bought while shopping or at work.f) |
| non-essentials? Is the income being spent unwisely | | | | Maybe if you tried you could get away with only |
| on luxury items that you cannot really afford? Do | | | | 1 car. Travel by bus or train if possible. |
| you know how much you really have to spend? | | | | Tip #4. Don't compare yourself with others. |
| Do you know how much you owe and to whom? | | | | If you spend to keep up with others, think |
| You need to honestly answer these questions and | | | | whether they may be in a similar position to you. |
| be prepared to take some action. | | | | Work out and understand how much you can |
| Tip #2. You need a make a plan and stick to it. | | | | spend and how much needs to be put aside for |
| First of all, you need to know your financial | | | | saving or emergencies. |
| situation. Take out all your credit cards' | | | | Tip #5. Pay off one small debt completely. |
| statements and add up the outstanding balances. | | | | This will give you a boost and help you keep on |
| Make a plan to reduce the debt to a certain level | | | | track more easily and you'll be more motivated to |
| within a fixed period of time. Once this is done | | | | pay off all the debts. |
| there are tools you can use from the Internet to | | | | Tip #6. Keep some fun money. |
| track your spending and your debt reduction. | | | | This process needs to be fun, not a misery. If it |
| Imagine what you will be able to do with the | | | | becomes a chore you will be tempted not to |
| money you currently use to pay off debt. | | | | meet your goals. Keep some money aside that |
| Tip #3. Never add to your debt. Cut up the credit | | | | allows you the freedom to spend on things you |
| cards and live within your means. | | | | want, occasionally. You'll feel so much better |
| Work out ways to cut down on your expenses | | | | about spending on items that you can afford. |
| so that you can live within your means. Start to | | | | To truly solve your debt problems you need to |
| put some funds aside for emergencies. You can | | | | keep yourself under control. There's no one else |
| cut down your expenses easily if you just think | | | | who can do this for you. Ask for God's help also. |
| creatively. Here are a few suggestions to get you | | | | You'll be so glad you did, once the debt burden |
| started.a) Anything you need (not just want) can | | | | has been lifted and you can become your own |
| usually be bought at a sale. Commit to not buying | | | | person. |
| at retail prices again. Look in newspapers, wait for | | | | |