Money can fuel your best dreams or your worst nightmares. It's the main reason couples argue, and the leading cause of divorce. Rather than exercising financial discipline, the bible says "fools spend whatever they get." God has promised to "supply all your needs according to His riches in glory." (Phil. 4:19). But sometimes our definition of need differs from His! In a culture that encourages you to buy and spend both what you have and do not have, we must be careful not to allow ourselves become "stuck" in life because we have overextended ourselves in our finances.

If you are overloaded with debt, there is a way out. It requires a lot of discipline but you can do it!

1. Don't spend more money that you make: This is the first thing you must do. Go through all the things you spend money on and make cuts as needed. Maybe it's that coffee you get every day. What about all those restaurant bills? What about cooking more meals at home and saving some money that would have been spent eating out twice a week? Put the money you save into your debts.
2. Cash only: Average out your weekly expenses and set cash aside to cover them. When it's gone, the spending stops. Freeze your credit cards in ice...defrosting them gives you time to think and ask yourself if you really need to spend!
3. Get rid of stuff: If you have a lot of impulsive buys and unwanted gifts, sell them, give God a tithe and apply the rest towards your debt.
4. Pay off high interest credit cards first: "Pay... your debts" (Romans 13:8). Meeting your financial obligations is a godly thing to do. Tackle the high interest rates cards first: it's encouraging to see your high interest rate debt decreasing.
5. Negotiate with your creditors: Don't avoid creditors' phone calls. Instead you should muster the courage and call them. Negotiate lower interest rates and payment plans. You will be surprised how much you can save by picking up that phone and making some calls!