Here are some easy tips to smash, pow and crunch your way out of debt that you can realistically implement in your life today. Not all of these tips will work for everyone, so its up to you to decide which ones can be the most effective for you.


1. Stop Accumalting Debt - Put the plastic away and pay cash.

2. Cut up Your Credit Cards - Seriously, do it.

3. Build up an Emergency Fund - Concentrate on this before you get agressive about paying down your debt so when an unexpected expense comes up you aren’t forced to pull out a credit card or a loan.

4. Give Your Dollars a Purpose - Prevent widdling away your cash by creating a budget and sticking to it.

5. Get Your Partner or Spouse on Board - It’s hard to achieve a goal if you’re not on the same page.

6. Stop Justifying - Just because you had a crappy day at the office doesn’t mean you deserve a dinner and $8 martini after work.

7. Count to Ten - Before you toss that clearance item from the endcap at Target that is just too good of a deal to pass up, ask yourself what would make you happier…another decorative pillow for your couch or being debt free?

8. Compromise - Take inventory of your expenses and be flexible. Consider pulling the cable for six months or brown bagging your lunch instead of eating out with your co-workers.

9. Patience is a Virtue - It took you awhile to get into debt and it’s going to take you awhile to get out. Hang in there.

10. Maximize Your Deductions - If you normally get a tax return from Uncle Sam, consider filling out a new W4 and putting the extra cash on your paycheck into savings.

11. Find Motivation - Decide what the biggest motivation is in your life to get out of debt. Is it your kids? Lifestyle? Dream House? Remind yourself of that motivation everyday with a photo of it on your nightstand, refrigerator or dashboard.

12. Go to the Library - You may not have hit up your local library for sometime but you could cut out movie rentals, magazine and book purchases by simply dusting off your library card.

13. Clip Coupons - It’s not just for little old ladies.

14. Watch the movie Maxed Out - You are not alone.

15. Friends Flock Together - If you have friends who are in a similar financial crunch you are, challenge and motivate each other by working towards the same goals.

16. Sponsor a Child - Remember how lucky you are to have a roof over your head even if you are in debt. Consider Christian Children’s Fund. Remember, donations are tax deductable.

17. Imagine - Think about what it will be like to be free from debt. Pretty nice, eh?

18. Stay Positive - You CAN and you WILL.

19. Be Humble - When you are in a bind, don’t pull out a credit card to get you through to the next pay check, ask a family member for gas money or go donate some plasma.

20. Reward Yourself - Paying off debt doesn’t have to be miserable. For every credit card balance you put at $0 go out for a steak dinner! You earned it.

21. Be Honest - Make sure your goals are realistic so you don’t set yourself up for disappointment.

22. Start Tracking Expenses - Check out my previous post of online money management software. Visualizing can help greatly.

23. Consolidate - If you are able to get a low interest personal loan, then you could save hundreds in interest.

24. Stop Trying to Keep Up with The Joneses - Just because your best friend got satellite TV or your neighbor got a new car, does not mean you need to. Jealousy will get you nowhere.

25. Don’t Look Back - Having a pity party is not the answer. Learn from your mistakes and move on.