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It's one thing to make mental notes of things you've bought over the month, but it's another thing altogether to see them add up on paper. This is especially true if you use a credit or debit card (people tend to spend more freely if they pay with plastic) or pay for things using multiple accounts (and therefore never really see the net total). Manually tracking your expenses will not only help you make better decisions, but also identify areas in which you don't even realize you're overspending. . It isn't enough to just throw a random payment at your credit card(s) every month. Instead, create a strategy, put it in writing, and budget your other expenses around your credit card payments. Here are some popular ways to save money and reduce your debts: Think seriously about starting to save pocket money. It sounds childish, but the savings are anything but. See if you qualify for food assistance. It's not glamorous, but neither is being broke. Reduce your expenses by cutting costs in different areas of your life, such as spending less on entertainment or making sure your car is running efficiently so you spend less on gas. . For a lot of people, a tax refund is a windfall at the beginning of the year. If you anticipate getting a tax refund this year, resolve to set a sizable chunk of it aside in order to pay off some of your debt. For example, don't buy that coffee on the way to work every day; make one at home for a fraction of the cost. Don't buy your books, DVDs, or CDs; just borrow them from your local library. Don't buy lunches for work; just make them at your home. (Pressed for time? Even something as simple as a sandwich or a salad with a hard-boiled egg makes a great lunch. Prep it the night before if necessary.) When you're stressed, treating yourself to the little things can feel like a necessity, and to a certain extent, it is. However, there are much cheaper ways of going about this. Instead of waiting in line for an overpriced mocha, bring a thermos of tea to the park and watch the autumn leaves fall. Instead of going out to dinner with your friends next Friday night, invite them to a potluck at your place. There are plenty of creative ways to cut back without feeling like a Spartan. Credit cards are often our go-to resource for unplanned expenses (the alternator dies, you get sick and miss work, etc.), but this can undo months of payments and completely demoralize you. A better idea is to tuck some money aside strictly for emergencies. This doesn't have to be a drain on your income. Remember those expenses you are cutting back on? Instead of simply not spending, try actually setting aside the money you would have paid on one or two of those expenses (for example, bar money every Friday night, manicure money every-other Sunday, etc.). Create a (free) savings account, put it in a CD, or even hide it in a cookie jar. Remember that this fund is for emergencies only. Break your leg? Go ahead and dip in. Want to upgrade your phone? Find the money somewhere else. Once you start to see that credit card balance go down, you may be tempted to treat yourself to a series of restaurant outings or a shiny new smartphone. Don't do it; a few casual purchases can put you right back where you started, especially if something unexpected happens. Keep the end goal at the forefront of your mindrewards that cost little or nothing are much better, like seeing a movie at a friend's house or making your favorite rich chocolate dessert and eating it all! Remember what you're trying to doget out of credit card debt. Just like smokers almost never quit by cutting back, you probably won't get out of debt if you keep adding to it by using your cards all the time. You want to try to minimize your use of cards or stop using your cards altogether. Freeze them in a block of ice if you need to. Freezing a sealed bag of water with the cards inside is a fun and mess-free way of doing this. That way, your card will be there if you need it, but you'll have to wait for the ice to thaw, giving you hours to decide whether you really need it. Get a lock box. Put your cards in a lock box and put the lock box somewhere out of the way. Either give the key to someone else or put the key at another location, like your desk drawer at work, so that when you need to use the credit card, you will have to think long and hard about doing it. As a last resort, take your cards and cut them in to pieces with scissors to make sure you won't use them again.

summary: Track your spending. Develop a budget for yourself Spend your tax refund wisely Sacrifice a small luxury (or three). Build an emergency cash fund. Don't relax your spending habits because you've successfully paid off some debt. Keep the goal in mind.

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Salicylic acid or glycolic acid are great for getting rid of pimples. These acid-based products might be available as creams or lotions. Specific directions for use vary depending on the product you use. Typically, you can just apply a dollop of the lotion to your pimple, then rub it in using a gentle, circular motion. Salicylic or glycolic acid wipes are also available. Simply pull a wipe from the container and gently massage it over the affected area, then dispose of it. You can also use a facial soap that contains salicylic acid to help reduce future acne outbreaks. Once your pimple is gone, try using a daily lactic acid treatment. This can help prevent acne from returning. The specific technique necessary to get rid of a pimple varies depending on the product you use. Check manufacturer directions before beginning a benzoyl peroxide-based treatment. You can generally apply the treatment (a gel, cream, or lotion) once or twice daily until your pimple has disappeared. Benzoyl peroxide-based treatments destroy the bacteria that are associated with pimples. Pimple treatments containing benzoyl peroxide can bleach fabric, so if you suspect it might come in contact with your clothing, use it right before bed and put an old t-shirt on. An exfoliant is a skincare product designed to remove dead cells from the surface of the skin. Directions for use will vary depending on the exfoliant you've decided to use. Generally, however, you can simply shake a bit of your exfoliant out onto a cotton pad and press it into the affected skin. You can wash your face with a moisturizing wash, mild soap and water, or even just water. Sulfur has a high pH level, which can help your skin attain the balance it needs to get rid of pimples. Sulfur gels, soaps, and creams will vary depending on the product you use. Generally, however, you can simply clean the affected area and apply a dollop of the sulfur product to the pimple.

summary: Use an acid-based solution. Put a benzoyl peroxide-based treatment on your pimple. Exfoliate your skin after washing. Use a sulfur treatment.

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This keeps the plant from going to seed and spreading too far. It can also make the roots more potent if you are harvesting them for a sleep aid. Use a sharp pair of shears and cut near the base of the stem. Valerian starts blooming early in the spring. You may get two or three blooms, depending upon the placement of the plant and its age. Harvest mature root systems in the fall for drying. Allow the plant to go a few days without water before you harvest so that the natural compounds are more potent. You can also dig up older plants for medicinal use and let younger volunteers grow for next year. Rinse the roots off with your garden hose before you take them inside. Wash them thoroughly by soaking them in a bowl. Let them dry in a cool, dry place for two to three months. They are extremely pungent, so they shouldn't be dried on a kitchen table. Simmer the roots for use as a sleep aid. You can also give the dried roots to cats, who love it like catnip. Use clean, fresh leaves as a nighttime relaxation tea or dry them to make a loose-leaf tea blend.
summary: Cut the blooms of the valerian plant to use for bouquets. Wait a full year before starting to harvest roots and leaves for medicinal use. Separate a large valerian plant in half with a spade. Dig deeply so that you can get the entire root system. Cut the roots into half inch and one inch (1.6 to 2.5 cm) sections with shears. Spread them out on a drying rack. Separate the leaves for use in tea.