Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Christmas Debt Blues

Hopefully you didn't go overboard and get into debt when shopping for Christmas gifts this year. But if you did, no need to fret. Here are 6 simple steps to help you eliminate that debt.

1. Return any unopened items you purchased for yourself.
2. If you received a gift you don't want donate to charity and write it off on your taxes for 2007 or return the item to the store and use the money you get back to pay towards your debt.
3. Write a list of your monthly expenses and find ways to reduce them, i.e. reduce your cell phone plan, cancel some unwatched premium cable channels, bring your lunch to work, rent movies from netflix instead of going to the movies, etc.
4. Use the extra money obtained from reducing your expenses to pay down debt.
5. Be conscious of how your spend your money during 2007.
6. Buy Christmas gifts throughout the year when items are on sale instead of waiting until December 2007. That way you will save money and won't feel the sting of buying many gifts at one time.
7. Bonus Tip: Buy my book, How to Get Out of Debt: Get an "A" Credit Rating For Free, ISBN 1933949430, as a gift to yourself for less than $20. My book will teach you how to reduce expenses, save money, create a spending plan and eliminate debt. You can purchase it today at Amazon.com, Barnesandnoble.com, Booksamillion.com, and Waldenbooks.com.

Good luck to you in 2007 and I wish you a prosperous New Year!

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