Keep Debt Out of Your Life

- Pay off your highest interest debt first. If you have a car loan that has a higher total of money owed to it that your credit cards, throw more of your monthly income at that first. Chances are it is a multi-year loan with a higher interest rate than your credit cards. And if you can pay that off sooner than is scheduled by paying more money towards the principal, you have a good chance of saving a lot of money that would have otherwise gone to paying interest on that loan.
- Keep your credit card debt at a consistent level. This will require you to use your credit card less than you may be accustomed to, but it is a sound way to handle not building up more debt while eliminating debt in another area of your finances.
- Use cash instead of credit cards. Budget in a certain amount of cash to be spent per week, and try not take withdraw more cash than that per week. By breaking it down into a weekly budget and only allowing yourself a minimal amount, you’re more likely to stick to your cash budget and not overspend.
- Cut back on the vices. Whether its cigarettes or coffee, cut down and see how much you’ll save.
- Put aside your spare change. You’d be surprised at the end of the year at how much that spare change will add up to.
- Eliminate some of the expenses you already have. It might be a luxury that you enjoy but if you can do without it that money can be reallocated towards something more beneficial.
- Don’t buy something unless you need it. It’s amazing how much money we spend on frivolous materials that are either hardly used or that we don’t even use at all.
- Watch your energy bills. Using less electricity and gas can add up to a large amount of money saved over the course of the year.
- Set up a weekly budget, a monthly budget and an annual budget. Be certain to check it often and see if you are staying on course. This is a way to hold yourself accountable and is likely to help you stick to your financial plan.
- Be smart, control your impulses and make wise financial choices. It will pay off.