8 Steps for Getting Out of Debt

By Alan L. Olsen, CPA, MBA (tax)
Managing Partner
Greenstein, Rogoff, Olsen & Co., LLP

The Average American spends a great deal more than they make every year. This results in a financial pitfall to them later in life. If you find yourself digging deeper into the empty wallet there are ten steps that you can use as a crutch to help free you of the overwhelming financial burden of debt.

1. Create and follow a budget - Creating a monthly budget will help you to track where your monthly income is going. In order to do this, you should add up how much your expenses will be for the month and then add up your monthly income. Once you have calculated how the money should be spent you should have some money left over for emergencies.
2. Stop spending what you don’t have - When you spend what you don’t have your debt is only climbing higher. If your monthly budget disables you from making a purchase, then the purchase should wait until the money is within your reach.
3. Learn to distinguish between wants and needs - In a world filled with televisions, computer games, luxury cars and other costly trinkets, our perspective on wants and needs at times becomes distorted. A need is something that is essential to your survival. Although sometimes we think that we will not be able to function without that big screen TV, waiting until the money is in the bank and paying cash for large purchases is a better option.
4. Spend less than you earn - After you have covered all of your monthly expenses there should be a little money left over. If not, adjust your monthly budget. You never know when an emergency may arise.
5. Track your spending - Many people who are in debt are unaware of where their money goes during the month. If you carry a notebook around and write down every penny that you spend when you make a purchase, you will be able to see where your money is going.
6. Pay yourself - Building up your savings monthly will only ensure that you do not fall into debt again. It is always good to have a little extra money stashed away.
7. Use a credit card responsibly-Credit cards are convenient for record keeping and budgeting, but can be dangerous if used improperly. You should not make purchases that you can not pay off at the end of the month.
8. Use a debit card - Debit cards will not allow you to spend more than you have in your account because it draws directly from your bank account. This way you cannot spend what you do not have.

Remember that the key to escaping debt is spending less than you earn.