If you have managed to accumulate a substantial amount of debt, don't worry. Many people have been in your shoes and have successfully paid it all back. In the process, they learned how to budget, reduce their living expenses, make their money work for them, and even how to make more money.

Start by changing your thoughts about money. It does not control you, but you control it. Do not lie awake at night worrying about how you are ever going to pay it all back. Instead, think about how you can work smart, reduce expenses, and educate yourself about how to spend frugally and invest wisely.

You might wonder where you are going to get the money to start investing when you are deep in debt. That's wrong thinking. Instead, setting money aside for savings is one way to change your thoughts about money and about spending.

If your company contributes to employee 401k accounts, one of the smartest ways to save is to sign up and start putting a part of each paycheck into it. Be sure to take advantage of that wonderful opportunity.

Even if you don't have the option of a 401k, it's important that you start saving right away, even if it's only a little bit. As you pay off your debt you can increase the amount you put into investments.

Budgeting

Setting up a budge can be good for your morale as you know exactly how much you have to set aside each month to pay off any debt.

It took you awhile to get your finances in this array and it will take time, discipline, and budgeting to get your spending habits under control. By budgeting and spending less on luxuries you will find that you can repay your debt faster.

If you find that you cannot pay more than the minimum amount due then it is time to reduce areas in your budget so you can pay more towards your debt. There are many different ways people can reduce living expenses, including eliminating candy and fast food from your diet, and going out to eat at restaurants less often (if at all).

The big problem is we have grown accustomed to having everything we want, whether it is brand name jeans or designer shoes, the latest digital camera or a new car. Until your debt is gone do not allow yourself to purchase any unnecessary items. Look at it as a challenge to see how cheaply you can live.

At the same time you are reducing your expenses you can be working a second job. It doesn't have to be as an employee. Many people work a nine to five job and then spend the evening working on their own business.

There are people who have studied real estate investing or the stock market or how to set up an online business and then worked to make it a reality. It wasn't easy, but by learning this new skill they were able to earn the money to pay off their debts and eventually quit their regular jobs for full-time self-employment.

Conclusion ? You Can do It

Never feel that your debt is too big for you to handle. It is just paper. You will get out of this and be wiser for having experienced it as long as you can get your expenses under control and learn how to work smart, save smart, and buy smart.