I knew that I was spending money that I didn't really have, but I just did not realize how much I was spending. At the end of each month, I'd sit back and wonder where the money had gone and how was I ever going to pay down this debt. Well, eating out was just another one of my issues that was immediately dealt with once I realized my faux pas. I realized I had gotten lazy and it was hard for me to get back into cooking meals at home, but I had to do it. Now that money goes toward eliminating the debt.
One of the most important issues to consider before embarking on this journey is please get on the same page as your spouse, if applicable of course. If your plans aren't the same, you will more than likely fail. This difference may not be an issue of whether or not you want to get out of debt, but rather the two of you might disagree on how you plan to reach your goals. Cutting out the ESPN package on the cable plan might not suit him. Paying off your credit card first, might not suit her. The key in a relationship is to work together toward financial bliss.
Eliminating debt is hard work and it certainly takes discipline. But it can be done if you are willing to sacrifice. Think long and hard about the pros and cons, change how you think about money, and I am sure you will realize that financial freedom is a better choice any day.
