Strategies To Get Out Of Debt

There are strategies to get out of debt that are simple and easy to implement. They can help you find ways to save money that in turn can be used to pay off your debt. They worked for me several years ago and it will work for you. Let's get started by recapping the lessons I have learned.Do Not Use Your CardsThis is the most obvious first step. Do not create anymore debt. Cut those cards, freeze them, put them in a safe deposit box or dig them up in your yard. Whatever you have to do to stop charging, do it. Reduce Your Daily ExpensesThis is a no brainer. You need to step back and look at what you spend your money on. Do you indulge in buying coffee every morning? Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts and Krispy Kreme may be making a small fortune from you. Those two dollars you drink away every morning adds up. Do you smoke? That is an expense that you can do without. You will be healthier too! Do you buy the paper every morning? Another expense you can do without, at least until you pay off those bills. Instead of buying the paper, catch up on the news through the internet or the TV. You're already paying for those luxuries. Little expenses here and there add up to a chunk of change. If you put all the money you save in a jar, you'll be pleasantly surprised at the amount of money you will have at the end of the month. You'll save this money by just cutting back on the little expenses that seem so trivial.Reducing your Monthly ExpensesWith all the competition for your business, phone companies are now teaming up with internet companies and cable service providers to give you big savings incentives. IO has a very attractive promotion where you get broadband internet service, phone service including unlimited long distance to the US, Canada and PR, and cable service for one low price of $99.00 (excluding tax). That averages out to $33.00 a month for each service. It helps cut back on the amount of time to pay the bills (online) or the postage for three different bills, not to mention the two extra checks you'll NOT be writing. It is an attractive deal and something to look into.Reducing your UtilitiesThere are now programs where you can switch your energy supplier. Look closely at your bills. Programs like Power Switch can help you save some money on your heating bills. Insulating your windows, doors and roof (for homeowners) also helps. Turning the heat and/or AC down when you are away can help your savings. Buy a thermostat with a timer, so that you can have your home at your comfortable level when you arrive. Reducing your Gas ConsumptionGo out only when you need to. Take less trips and don't make any unnecessary trips to the store. Try to schedule your errands at the same time, so that you make the most of your time and money. Take your car to be serviced regularly. When your car is properly taken care of it runs more efficiently. Reducing your Grocery BillClip coupons. There are supermarkets that triple the amount of your coupon. That means that .75 off the cereal really takes off $2.25. Not bad huh? Buy no frills when you can. For example, buy the store brand lettuce as opposed to the Dole. I know that not all no frills can cut it. I NEVER buy no frills Oreos or Chips Ahoy. I only buy them when they are on sale at the lowest possible price. This has to be covered in a post by itself, I can tell you stories.Reducing Credit Card DebtMost companies don't want to lose you as a customer. So, you can convince them to lower your interest rate by making a simple phone call. You simply tell them that you received an offer from a competing credit card offering you a tempting interest rate. Then you ask them if they can match it. What's the worst that they can say? No? Try it. I convinced my father to do it and guess what? They gave him a lower rate! These are just a few of the lessons I have learned. I will elaborate on each of these and more in the future. For now, try some of these and remember to use that extra money to pay off that credit card debt!

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