Article: Your number one priority should be to pay off all debt so you can start to save. While diverting funds to debt repayment instead of other necessary purchases may be difficult, it can pay off in the long run. Keep some funds in the bank as an emergency fund and pay off your creditors. If you get a big tax return or a sudden rebate from the government, always pay your debts off before you buy anything for yourself. If you don't have any debt and suddenly come into some extra money, bank at least half of it for emergencies or another time when you are not as flush. Debt repayment can represent a significant monthly cost. By reducing your debt, you can in-turn free up extra cash for saving or to go towards your monthly expenses. Consider balance transfer credit cards. These cards often have a 0% interest rate for a period for balances transferred from other credit cards. By transferring your balance, you can enjoy low or even interest free payments for a period, which allows you to reduce your debt quicker through 100% of your payment being applied to principle. Note that the low interest rate period often lasts for only 12-24 months, so make sure you use this period to eliminate as much debt as possible. Afterwards, a higher interest rate will apply. Literally. Put your small change in a jar. Once the coins start to pile up, roll up the coins and deposit them into your savings account. Even $10 or $20 in small change can mean more money towards food or extra expenses. Every expense you charge on your credit card will need to be repaid, with interest. If you're earning $8 an hour, repaying thousands of dollars may feel like a huge and impossible challenge. Piling up credit card debt will only make it more difficult to cover all your expenses, plus your debt payments. Outstanding debt can also make it difficult to negotiate for a down payment for a house or car down the line. While it may be difficult, if you have a large credit card debt, consider stopping credit card use all together and cutting up your credit cards. Assume if you can't afford something without a credit card, that you should not be purchasing it at all. To assist in this, use your monthly budget as described above to make sure all your essential expenses are covered by the payments from your job. If your salary is insufficient to cover your basic expenses, you can attempt some of the above tips to reduce your monthly expenses to a level that can be covered by your income. Leave your credit card at home when you depart for the day to reduce impulse purchases.

What is a summary?
Pay off your debt before you buy anything new. Save your pennies. Avoid using credit cards.