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It's
clear
from
the
DebtSmart
Survey
Results:
Cutting
Spending
vs.
More
Income that
most
people
believe
that
cutting
spending
is
the
faster
way
to
reduce
debt.
Of
course,
this
is
certainly
true
to
some
extent.
My
position
is
that
there
are
three
main
points
to
be
addressed
when
reducing
debt,
specifically:
(1)
Getting
organized
financially;
(2)
Becoming
more
efficient
with
your
current
debt
and
spending;
(3)
Generating
more
income.
Here
are
some
suggestions
to
expand
on
number
(2),
specifically
as
it
applies
to
spending.
1)
SHOP
ONLINE
If
you
have
to
make
a
large
purchase;
for
example,
computer,
water
heater,
etc.
ALWAYS
check
out
prices
online.
Don't
be
tempted
to
get
it
at
the
local
store
without
taking
a
look
at
competing
prices.
2)
GIFTS
Always
stay
on
the
lookout
to
get
future
gifts
at
today's
discounts.
Half-price
or
clearance
sales
run
year
round.
If
you
see
a
good
sale
on
say,
leather
wallets,
and
there
are
people
on
your
list
who
could
use
one,
pick
up a
few
as
gifts.
High
quality
gift,
low
cost.
Store
the
items
in a
gift-bin,
keep
track
of
what's
in
there,
and
before
you
know
it,
you'll
have
all
the
holiday/birthday
gifts
you
need.
3)
AUTO
REPAIRS
If
you
need
a
new
part
for
your
car,
check
out
the
availability
of
that
part
at
the
local
junkyard.
I
have
repaired
many
vehicles
with
"pre-owned"
parts
with
great
success!
4)
LEAKY
FAUCET
If
you
have
a
leaking
hot
water
faucet,
be
sure
to
fix
this
immediately!
It's
truly
money
going
down
the
drain.
Not
because
of
the
water
that's
being
wasted,
but
because
of
the
cost
to
heat
that
water.
5)
BALANCE
YOUR
ACCOUNTS
Always
balance
your
checking
account.
This
simple,
okay,
maybe
not
so
simple,
exercise
is
worth
your
time
to
ensure
that
you
don't
accidentally
bounce
any
checks. Bounced
check
fees
can
cost
around
$35,
not
to
mention
potential
late
fees,
etc.
6)
CLOTHING
NETWORK
If
you
have
young
children,
then
you
know
how
quickly
they
grow
out
of
their
clothes.
We
always
pass
our
children's
clothing
to
our
friends
whose
kids
are
just
a
little
younger.
We
also
have
friends
that
give
us
their
kids'
clothes.
This
works
so
well!
7)
INTERNET
AUCTIONS
Buy
stuff
at
eBay.com!
You
can
save
so
much
money,
it's
incredible.
I
just
purchased
a
cordless
phone,
with
caller
ID
(hands-free
phone),
for
only
$35
with
shipping
included.
This
phone
would
cost
$100
at
the
store!
8)
MATINEES
If
you
want
to
see
a
movie,
do
it
during
the
day.
Movies
are
so
expensive!
Even
the
matinee
price
is
getting
up
there,
but
it's
a
big
savings!
It's
also
much
less
crowded.
9)
HUNGRY
SHOPPER
Always
be
sure
to
eat
before
going
grocery
shopping.
I'm
sure
you
know
what
I
mean.
10)
VACATIONS
When
people
think
of a
vacation,
they
think
of a
far
away
tropical
island.
This
of
course
means
air
fare,
cruise
fare,
hotel
accommodations,
etc.
But
have
you
explored
all
the
sites
in
your
vicinity?
There
maybe
a
lot
to
do
and
see
all
within
a
2-4
hour's
drive
from
your
home.
Stay
a
night
at a
Bed
and
Breakfast,
cabin/cottage,
or
even
a
campground.
Then
drive
to
the
next
attraction.
Why
pay
thousands
when
there
may
be
something
great
to
do
just
a
few
hours
away?
See
my
article,
My
family
vacation
for
$32
per
person,
per
day!
11)
PACK
A
LUNCH
Maybe
not
everyday,
but
at
least
a
few
times
a
week.
It
may
take
a
little
more
time
in
the
morning,
but
with
lunches
ranging
from
$5-10
a
pop,
you'll
save
a
lot
and
probably
eat
healthier
meals.
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