Getting out of debt starts with saving some money each month to stop acquiring more debt and to pay off your existing debt. Here are five ways to help you come up with an extra $100 a month that you can then put toward your credit card. It’s a great way to start getting your expenses under control and work toward a debt free future.

1. Plan Your Meals
   How much food do you end up throwing away each month, and how many things do you buy on impulse at the grocery store? It adds up quickly and planning your meals before you go to the store can help reduce the amount of money you spend on groceries each month. Save even more by planning your meals around what’s on sale that week.
2. Kick The Habit
   Whether it’s smocking, getting your Starbuck’s fix or going out to lunch (almost) every day, or that night out at the bars every weekend, if you can kick just one of those habits, you can easily save $100 or more each month. Even just cutting back or finding less expensive alternatives (like brewing your own gourmet coffee) can really add up over the course of a month.
3. Shop Smart
   Most months you’ll end up buying something outside of groceries and toiletries. This could be anything from a new pair of shoes to a new TV or even a car. Do your research and make sure you get the best deal possible. Buy clothes when they go on sale (i.e. buy new summer clothes in the fall), look for coupons, rebates and the likes. On bigger ticket items this can easily save you several hundred dollars.
4. Reevaluate Your Monthly Bills
   Take a moment this week to go over all regular bills you pay from your cell phone plan to the cable bill and see if you can’t live with a less expensive plan or get rid of things like magazine subscriptions all together. Cut down on your electric bill by using energy saving appliances and light bulbs, turning off the lights when you’re not in the room and the likes.
5. Save On Gas
   With gas over $3 a gallon, making small savings can quickly add up. Walk where you can, combine trips when possible and look into car pooling. Other ways to save are using public transportation or buying a car that gets better gas mileage (provided that investment makes financial sense for you).