Making the decision to get out of debt is one thing. Coming up with the money to do it is another. Tap into all the resources you can to fund your get out of debt plan.
There are two major ways to get more money to pay off your debts. The first is to decrease your expenses. The second is to increase your income. Below are some ideas to do both.
As you read through each item, you'll probably think "This will only save me $5 or $10 a month." Count how many times you say that and mutiply it by 5. That's how much extra you could have to put toward your debt each month.
Decrease Your Expenses
- Spend less on food
- Cook at home instead of eating out
- Cook from scratch rather than eating premade dinners
- Take your lunch to work
- Grocery shop with a list and stick to it
- Don't shop while you're hungry
- Cut your transportation costs
- Buy the right gas for your car (87/89/93)
- Get your car serviced regularly to optimize gas mileage
- Run all your errands in a single trip
- Avoid unncessary driving
- Carpool
- Trade your SUV for a cheaper, more gas-friendly car
- Telecommute if your employer will allow it
- Reduce what you spend on clothes
- Forget about designer labels
- Get trend-proof clothes
- Wear layers in the winter instead of buying new sweaters
- Don't forget sales racks, thrift, and consignment
- Launder your clothes appropriately to get longer wear
- Avoid dry clean only labels
- Be entertained for less
- Cancel movie subscriptions like Netflix or Blockbuster
- Exchange movies with friends instead of renting
- Catch movies on cable instead of going out
- Books: Use the library instead of buying new books
- Music: Purchase a song or two through Amazon or iTunes instead of purchasing an entire album
- Have game night with family and friends
- Move to an apartment with lower rent
- Refinance your mortgage for a lower interest rate
- Get a roommate (or two)
- Cut your cable/satellite cost
- Cancel premium channel subscriptions
- Go basic
- Nix pay-per-view and movies on demand
- Ask for a promotional rate
- Cut it off entirely
- Lower your phone bill(s)
- Use your cell phone as your primary phone
- Get free long distance
- Bundle your phone with your cable and internet
- Ask for a promotional rate
- Get the right minute plan for your cell phone
- Turn off unnecessary features, even if you have to talk or text less
- Stick with the pre-installed ringtones instead of downloading new ones
- Lower your utility bills
- How to Lower Your Water Bill, About Frugal Living
- How To Lower Your Electric Bill, About Frugal Living
- Re-evaluate luxury services
- Can you wash your own car?
- Can you mow your own lawn?
- Paint your own nails vs. paying for a manicure
- Cut out visits to the spa
- Get your hair trimmed less often
- Before you make a purchase ask this question: Will I live without it?
Increase Your Income
- Pay the right amout of taxes. Tweak Your Income Tax Withholding, About Financial Planning
- Optimize your benefits. Are You Getting the Best Benefits From Your Job?, About Human Resources
- Ask for a pay raise. How to Ask For a Raise, About Human Resources
- Get a second job
- Get rid of unwanted or unneeded household items
- How to Have a Garage Sell, About Moving
- Successful Selling on eBay, About eBay
- Sell old books to a store like Half-Price Books
- Sell old cds using a website like SecondSpin.com
- Sell old clothes to consignment
- Pawn electronics
- Make money from a hobby. Make Your Hobby Work For You, About Career Planning
