How you can pay off credit card debt

25 money saving tips

If you are looking to pay off credit card debt, the absolute best way to start is to reduce your spending - it sounds simple, but it's certainly easier said than done.

Here is a list of 25 things you can do to save money each and every month without negatively affecting your lifestyle.

This list is meant to show you how you can make relatively painless cuts here and there, and these savings can really add up.

Put the savings aside in a separate account and make sure to apply them to pay down your credit card balance at least once a month.

I'm sure you can come up with more, but use this list as a starting point.

1. Eat out one less night per month. (Find a recipe online and try it!)
2. Install ceiling fans. (Far cheaper than A/C and surprisingly effective.)
3. Make your long distance calls on weekends. (If you have free weekends on your cell phone, use it!)
4. Turn up (or down) the thermostat. (A few degrees cooler in the winter can save BIG on utility bills.)
5. Double check rebate submissions. (Have you been paid? Up to 50% of submitted rebates fall through the cracks.)
6. Make your own birthday gifts and Christmas presents. (Lend a personal touch and save!)
7. Double check your tax deductions. (Americans pay billions too much each year.)
8. Buy energy-efficient light bulbs. (Pay a little now and say 5-10 bucks a month.)
9. Fill up your tires and get better MPG. (You'd be shocked how much gas you can save.)
10. Cut back on cell phone calls. (Get a cheaper plan, and never go over your minute limit.)
11. Rent out a spare room. (Get referrals through your church or friends.)
12. Park it yourself instead of using the valet. (At five bucks a pop, find a meter!)
13. Rent a DVD instead of going to the movies. (When you factor in popcorn and pop, this can be big savings.
14. Clip newspaper coupons. (They are still in the Sunday paper!) 15
15. Use price comparison sites. (Especially when buying electronics and computers.)
16. Shop at clothing outlets. (The trip really can be worth the savings.)
17. Get a copy of the Entertainment coupon book. (Support a local charity and save big.)
18. Save your cans and bottles and get the deposit. (Believe it or not, this adds up.)
19. Switch to Basic Cable. (Or drop cable altogether - do you really need ALL those channels?)
20. Walk instead of drive when you can. (With the price of gas these days, it just makes sense.)
21. Replace Starbucks with Maxwell House. (Make yourself a mug at home and bank the savings.)
22. Wash your car yourself. (How much do YOU pay at the car wash each week?)
23. Brown bag it to work and save on lunches. (6 bucks a day can add up fast.)
24. Switch your phone to VOIP. (If you already have broadband, this can cut your bill in half or more.)
25. Find cheaper car insurance. (odds are, you are paying far too much.)

So there you have it. Try even a few of these suggestions and you can cut $100-$200 a month off your spending.

Apply that money to pay down your credit card debt, and you will be well on your way to being debt free.

It really can be that simple, it just takes a little bit of determination and dedication. But I find that once you start seeing your balance decline, it gets easier and easier to motivate yourself to save.

Just remind yourself of all that interest you are paying. It really is ridiculous to throw that money away each and every month!

Remember, sitting on large credit card balances is a recipe for financial disaster, so start working on your credit card debt reduction plan today.