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financial planner and having the money automatically taken from your paycheck or debited from your bank automatically. If you are a spend thrift, relieving temptation of having the extra money to spend can help.

7. Stop using your credit cards. Cut them up or close the accounts leaving one low interest card open for emergencies. If you are forced to use only money you will have a greater understand of exactly how much you are spending.

8. Don't put all your money towards paying off mortgage and student loans which tend to have lower interest rates. Instead concentrate on high interest loans. People sometimes incorrectly think that paying off a mortgage to student loan that is looming over their head will reduce their debt. However, most of these loans usually have low interest rates and are tax deductible. Instead, continue making the minimum payments on low interest loans and start by paying off high interest credit cards that can damage your credit rating.

9. Don't ignore your retirement plan even when trying pay off debt. You will encouraging future debt. As tempting as it may sound to place this extra money towards debt and tell yourself you will replace it later, it is much wiser to plan for the future. Money that you put towards retirement is tax deductible and earns interest, so it may be counterproductive to pay off temporary debt and ignore longterm issues. Try to never withdraw any money from your retirement. Not only are you taxed heavily on what you withdraw and pay early withdrawal fees, but you lose out on what that money would have earned you long term.

10. Don't stop saving money. It is tempting to use every penny you make during the month towards paying off your debt, however being left with absolutely nothing in your bank account is depressing and leaves you feeling the angst of never getting out of debt. Instead, set aside a small amount of money, even just $10, to a high interest savings account like ING each month.

11. Don't develop a "who cares" attitude. I've seen way to many people when faced with debt fall into this mindset of "well, I already owe $20,000, what will $100 matter." Don't get trapped into that pattern. You will only prolong and increase your debt!

Getting out of debt and re-establishing your credit can be a stressful process, however once you start seeing your debt diminish, you will never feel such an amazing sense

Learn more about this author, Molly Carter.
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