My husband and I also noticed a big decrease in spending after riding the bus instead of driving in the car. My day is more organized and it makes me think twice about going down to the corner store to buy a little snack.

I suppose we all need that little push.

I know Dave Ramsey speaks against them, but it’s been nothing good for me.

Your credit score may take an initial hit when you start the service, but as you debts go away your score quickly rebounds as you debt is eliminated.

I’ll be out of debt before this year is through and it is due to many of the above tips, but it is also due in a large part to a Credit Counseling agency who took control of all of my major debt, lowered all of my interest rates and got the bill collectors of my back in exchange for a $20 a month fee.

And my FICO went from the low 500’s to the mid 600’s and still rising.

I think the best tips is the number 1
“don’t get into debt”
a guaranteed tips to eliminate debt

Cut up your credit cards…. don’t cancel the accounts… just cut up the cards.
Credit Card Debt: Start making twice the minimum payment on the card that has the highest balance and highest interest rate.
If possible pay as much down on this card as you can. Keep making min. payments on the other cards. Once the first card is paid off apply those payments to the second highest cards and add the min. payment you already pay on that card… and so on until they are all paid off.

This can take years… but it was you that spend that money and nobody but you got you into this mess.

While you are trying to pay down your debt it is important that you have a strict budget.

Sit down and write down the following:

Monthly Income
minus fixed bills (rent, utilities, set amount paid towards credit card debt, etc. AND fixed amount that goes into a savings account, even if it is just $25 a month.
What is left is your discretionary income and you divide this by 4.
Now you have the amount left that you can spend during the week on food, gas and whatever else you need.

Besides the set amount for your savings account you also need to set aside on a monthly basis any money you need for bills that come due only once or twice a year… car insurance, taxes due for property, etc.