Apply your changes
So you've made a solid effort to examine your “needs,” “extras,” and cash expenses. Now it’s time to apply your changes and deal with your “debt hangover.”

After you have decided what changes you want to apply, you'll need to keep track of them as they occur. At the end of every day, jot down the expenses or impulse buys that you avoided (items that would have been included in your old routine). For example, if you decided to skip the morning espresso at the local coffee house on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, then jot down the total of the missing drinks. Continue to keep track of these “ghost” expenses for the entire month.

At the end of the month, total up your “ghost” expenses. Given your normal routine, this money would have been spent, but since you have made some changes in your spending choices, you've got that much more to apply to your bills. Try applying it to that minimum payment on your credit cards with pleasure as that accrued interest diminishes rapidly.

Bottom-line basics
Figure out how long it's going to take to repay your debt. Less than five months? You should be set.

Six months or more? You might consider getting an extra job, putting all that income into your debt payment. Get creative. Offer your typing services for a set amount per page. Answer an ad that needs a one-day-a-week babysitter. Ask for more hours at your place of employment or pick up a coworker’s hours by taking a less-desired shift.

Once you're debt free, think about continuing to pay the “ghost” expenses, keeping them in a separate account. Come holiday season next year, you'll be prepared!

The Debt-Free Zone
No matter how big your debt is, it’s your debt and you’ve got to deal with it. Your credit rating and future are riding on it. Make some simple changes in your daily routine and you’ll be holiday hangover and headache free in no time.