Life Unexpected: Top 5 ways to get out of debt

Money can be a real worrier, and sometimes there is just to much month left at the end of the money. This month has been one of those months, and it seems that if something can go wrong...It will go wrong. It's been a month of car troubles, starting off with car tax and followed closely by brake pads, a funny creaky noise on the left hand side, and finally the left hand wheel not retaining air... It has been one of 'those months'.

In fact it is months like this that make getting into debt so very easy. I like to spend as much as the next person, but I haven't budgeted for any of these eventualities.. 

With the month of money grating on me I wanted to share my top 5 tips for staying out of debt. Let's face it, no one wants to get neck deep in money worries.

1. Map out your essentials: Do you really need to spend? If the answers no and it isn't one of the 'musts' for the month. Put it back, add it to the wish list and focus on your bills. I know this is so much easier said than done..

2. Keep track of where your debt actually is: How much do you owe? Who do you owe? How much can you afford to pay back a month? Chart everything and keep a spread sheet so that you can see exactly where you are and how much expandable money you have this month,

3.  Leave some money aside for things you enjoy; I think worrying about money is one of the worst things that you can do. Where there is a will, there is a way. Once you have mapped out what you owe and how you are going to re-pay, you need to remember to save a bit for a day out, something fun, taking the kids to the cinema and not take life to seriously. 

4.If you need help..Ask: Sometimes pride gets in the way, we don't want to ask for help. We want to stand on our own two feet and show the world that WE CAN do it. When it comes down to it though, family will want to help if they can. Talk the situation through with them, it may be the best thing you ever did.

5. Smile even through your darkest days: This has to be the most valuable piece of advise I can give you. Smiling is a proven way to make yourself feel better, surround yourself with people that you can't help but smile around. Leave the stress and worries for a while.

This month may have got under my skin a little, but I know I will get through it and that in the months to come all will be back on track. Once the car is sorted, then that's done and dusted and I don't have to worry about it (Crosses Fingers) for a little while.