10 Easy Ways to Save Money for Your Debt Settlement Program

Debt settlement allows you to settle your debts, making one low monthly payment, and to get out of debt in a shorter amount of time than by paying back your balances in full. With debt settlement, the savings are often greater than with debt consolidation. While credit card debt can be expensive and stressful, getting out of debt doesn't have to be. If you think that you can't afford a debt settlement payment every month, think twice! This article, the second of five, lists 10 easy ways to save money for your next debt settlement payment. 1. Consider doing your own taxes, instead of using a tax preparation service. There are many software programs that make doing taxes easy. If you have a simple tax return, some of these programs have a free edition. 2. When you shop online, consider using Ebates. You get a percentage of your purchase back in cash or on a gift card. You can joi Ebates for free and even get a $10 gift card as a bonus just for signing up. According to Ebates, "You get cash back at any of 1,200 stores any time you start your shopping trip at Ebates.com. There are no points to redeem, no forms to mail in, and no fees. Stores pay Ebates a sales commission for sending shoppers their way, and Ebates uses the commission to pay you cash back." 3. If you've been eating out more than twice a week, consider eating out no more than once a week, once every two weeks, or even once a month. You will appreciate eating out more, and you will also be surprised at how much money you save. Now, which is more important? Making that next debt settlement with ease, or spending $65 a week on take out pizza, sushi, and chicken wings? 4. Read your supermarket's weekly circular before you go food shopping. Make special note of "buy one, get one free" offers, particularly on higher ticket items like meat, cheese, bagged salads, orange juice, whole grain bread, vitamins, batteries, and cleaning supplies. Plus, don't ever leave home without your manufacturer's coupons. 5. Did you ever think of washing your laundry in cold water? It will save you lots of money over time. 6. Cable service providers always claim that they can get you the best deal. But can they? Do you really need 80 premium channels? So, which is more important? 80 channels that you don't watch or making a monthly debt settlement payment with peace of mind? Consider switching to basic cable and pay a fraction of what you might be paying now. 7. If you haven't done so already, consider bundling your cable and internet service. You'll save money toward your next debt settlement payment. 8. Give up smoking. If you live in New Jersey, the average cost for a pack of cigarettes is $8.35. If you smoke a pack a day, that's $3,047.75 a year! So, if you think that you can't afford a debt settlement payment every month, think again. If you're paying $300 a month to settle your debts, $3,047.75 is equivalent to over 10 monthly payments. But just think how much you would save if you lived in New York, where cigarettes cost an average of $11.90 a pack. 9. Some men feel that they never have enough pairs of underwear or socks. So be it. A 3-pack of brand-name socks can be as little as $2.99 or $3.99 at an off-price retailer, or as much as $18.00 at a department store. So, how much do you want to pay today? 10. Many drug stores, grocery stores, and other retail establishments have loyalty cards that offer incentives to regular customers. Use these cards wherever you can. Suppose a supermarket's loyalty card entitles you to save 10 cents on a gallon of gas for every $50.00 you spend. Generally, you spend $400.00 a month at the supermarket and therefore save 80 cents off a gallon of gas. If you purchase 40 gallons of gas a month, you will save $32.00. That adds up to $384.00 in savings over the course of a year. This article has listed 10 easy ways to save money for your debt settlement program. Debt negotiation has worked for thousands of people over the years. However, personal commitment is required. So, why not commit today to change some of your spending habits, and make saving money a top priority.