This morning, I was thinking about all of the small things I have done to get out of debt.
Many seem trivial, but the combination of efforts add up to substantial savings.
We all want a quick fix, and that is not likely to happen. We are not going to win the lottery! We just need to chip away at debt a little at a time.
Of course, not getting into debt in the first place would be the way to go, but most of us aren't that talented.

I started tackling the debt by using the envelope system. At first, I had an envelope for every expense from food, to license plates. Now I use the envelope system for food only. I am disciplined enough to keep money for everything but food in my ING account, and I transfer money to pay property tax, etc. when needed. I prefer using cash for food, because it deters one from impulse buying. If I have a set amount in an envelope, I need to use it for needed food, not junk food, that is a want, not a need. I purposely set the amount in the envelopes low, to challenge myslef to find the best buys available.
I will shop at more than one store if there are great loss leaders any given week. I stock up when there is a great sale. I have a very well stocked pantry and freezer, so my weekly spending is kept fairly low. I spend between $125 and $175.00 a month for food. I feed three adults dinner every night, and two for breakfast and lunch.
I make my own cleaning products, including window/all purpose cleaner, shower spray, laundry stain pre-treatment and laundry detergent.
I make all meals from scratch, and we eat well. Most of what we eat is purchased on sale or at the best price available.
Furniture and household items have been purchased used. Many are antiques that we have purchased at auctions. We buy the best quality that we can afford, and by buying used, we can get great quality hardwood furniture that will not go down in value. You can buy a piece of furniture at Wal-Mart, for $100.00, but it will be made of particle board, and will fall apart with normal use. For that same $100.00, you can purchase a good piece of furniture at a yard sale or an auction that has lasted for years, so you know it will withstand daily use. Also, when you want to upgrade, you can probably get what you paid for it when you sell it.
I shop at Goodwill and thrift stores for high quality clothing at very low prices.
I see Abercrombie, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, etc. every time I go to Goodwill. Many look new, and I've seen designer clothing with the original tags. Baby clothes are always 50 cents at our Goodwill. I have purchased many items with the original tags. One was priced $26.00! Lots of people get so many gifts in the same newborn sizes, the baby never gets to wear them, so they get taken to Goodwill, for people like me to buy for fifty cents! Yard sales also offer great sources for nice, gently worn clothing, but I prefer thrift stores, so I don't have to spend a lot of time driving around.

Recent books, as well as wonderful vintage books can be purchased for pennies on the dollar at thrift stores, and yard sales,if you like to collect books, otherwise there is the library.

There are numerous free activities available in most towns. Check the local newspapers for ideas.

I started all of these activities to free up money, to get out of debt. I did it!
Will I go back to my spendthrift ways? No way! I'm having too much fun and living too well to slip back into my old ways.
It is great watching my personal "wealth" grow, now that my money isn't going toward debt.