Common sense advice to reduce your debt

It's too easy to get in debt, getting out is a struggle for all of us

Like most families living in the rat race just getting by every month can be a real challenge on a regular salary, even if both parents are working. You think your head is above the water and all of a sudden the car shocks go , the kids need new clothes and the basement starts leaking. Before you know it you actually start going under financially without living an excessive lifestyle or going beyond your monthly budget. With credit so easily obtained the idea of just going without because you have no choice does not seem to apply. If your debt gets real bad you may need some help

Eliminate as much spending as you can !

This is a lot easier than you think to figure out where you can make some cuts to spending, the hard part is forcing yourself to implement them. How badly do you want to reduce your debt ? Cancel your cable, satellite radio or magazine subscriptions until the debt is paid off. These are luxuries you don't need and you should use this money to pay off the debt burden you have. Have a garage sale and get rid of all that stuff you don't need and use the money to make a payment on your highest interest rate credit card. Instead of going out for dinner or drinks with your partner go for a walk or play tennis and make a payment with the money you would have spent.

Credit Counseling Talk to people and get advice. There's a lot of information out there and non-profits that will sit down and take a look at your financial situation and help you. You may decide to pay for a professional service and if that's the case, spend a lot of time researching and shopping around as there are a lot of scams out there. If you sit down with a credit debt counselor don't feel obliged to use them just because they spent some time with you. Once again, walk away and shop around. You should at least speak to 5 different professional debt counseling companies and don't let them rush you in deciding which one you want to go with. You need to make the right choice here as you'll be in a relationship with this organisation until your debt has gone. If you pick a bad company you could end up in a worse situation and with a lot more stress. Do your homework !!!!