| Debt Freedom-it is something that everybody wants | | | | you money. |
| to achieve, but the question is, how you get there. | | | | 4. Instead of going out to the movies, rent a movie and |
| Reaching debt freedom involves changing the way we | | | | enjoy a family movie night at home. |
| think about our money and the way we manage our | | | | 5. Have a pizza party and make your pizza at home |
| money. I am not saying you need to give up all the | | | | instead of ordering out. |
| things that you like, but you may want to take a good | | | | 6. Buy in bulk and freeze dinners. This will not only |
| hard look at what is really important in your life. | | | | save you money it will save you time. |
| Is having things now more important than having a | | | | 7. Give handmade gifts and cards. |
| future. Fulfilling your dreams in the future will take some | | | | 8. Shop at consignment shops, thrift stores, discount |
| planning in the present. How you handle your money in | | | | stores and yard sales. |
| the present will determine how much of it you will | | | | 9. Consider discontinuing or downgrading your cell |
| retain for your future. There are some very basic and | | | | phones and cable TV plans. |
| simple changes you can make in your daily life that will | | | | 10. Pay more than the minimum payment on your |
| help you prepare for a financially sound future. Here | | | | credit cards. If you pay only the minimum on a credit |
| are some simple changes you can make that will you | | | | card with a $3000 balance, it will cost you $2780 in |
| achieve debt freedom: | | | | interest and will take you 8 years to pay the balance |
| 1. Stop financing your lifestyle with credit cards. If it is | | | | off. If you pay an extra $50 a month towards your |
| not an emergency (the latest shoe style is not an | | | | balance, you will save $1800 in interest and have your |
| emergency) or it can not be paid off in full monthly, it | | | | debt paid off in three years. |
| should not be charged. Credit cards are robbing | | | | Bottom line is before you can live debt free you have |
| Americans of a sound financial future. | | | | to become debt free. Following some of these tips will |
| 2. Keep a log of your spending. Once you know | | | | help you achieve debt freedom. With a little bit of |
| where your money is going, it will be easier to see | | | | effort, you will be able find many ways of saving |
| where you can cut back. Put the extra money | | | | money. Start by looking at things you spend money on |
| towards paying down your credit cards. | | | | and find ways to reduce or eliminate these expenses. |
| 3. Pack your lunch 3 days (or more) a week. Eating | | | | Every little bit helps. |
| out can be expensive and brown bagging it will save | | | | |