20 Valuable Ways That Will Empower You to Avoid Debt

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or professional advice. While the tips offered aim to help readers avoid debt and manage their finances more effectively, individual results may vary based on personal circumstances and financial situations. Readers should consult with a qualified financial advisor, debt counselor, or legal professional before making any financial decisions or taking steps to manage debt. The author and publisher of this article do not accept responsibility for any actions taken based on the information provided, nor for any financial consequences, losses, or gains that may result from implementing these strategies. All opinions and suggestions are general in nature and may not apply to every individual’s situation.

So you want to avoid debt and not throw away money and are looking for a few ideas you may have not heard before?  Right on!  Let’s get right into it then! 

1. Be Less Social

Guessing some mouths just dropped to the floor on this one LOL.  But think about it.  Sometimes our spending habits become a little different based on who you hang around and the situation at hand. 

If you tend to spend more money when going out with friends and it leaves a sour taste in your mouth, maybe switching up some things around when you hang around friends and who you hang around might be in order.

Next time you hear an invite, try to think of how much money that is probably going to cost.  Things like gas, eating out, gifts for parties, cost for activities, paying for more than yourself just to name a few all add up. 

2.  Try Living Without Social Media and TV Ads

How often do you encounter targeted ads on social media platforms that end up making you spend money you wouldn’t have?  These companies know you’re coming and pay for advertising to market to you.  If you have a hard time staying away from social media at least try to skip past the ads. 

According to statista.com, as of August 2023, 1 in 5 consumers around the globe were most likely to buy products online and social media [1.]

The same goes for TV, streaming services, or however else you get content delivered to you.  Try to avoid watching commercials for products that normally entice you to spend money. 

If you can’t fast forward content, try muting the TV or media and doing another task during times of advertisements.

3. If You Don’t Love It, Don’t Buy It

Try a new rule on yourself when you go shopping.  It’s called the “If you don’t love it, don’t buy it” rule.  It took a long time to learn this lesson, but once it was learned ohhhh the money saved!

Ask yourself this question next time before you buy something.  “Do I love it??????”  If the answer is no, then don’t buy it.   Of course, sometimes there are things you buy that you won’t have a choice because you need it whether you love it or not.

In this particular instance, the focus is on applicable items like clothing, a new car, a new office chair, shoes, a new paint color, a house, etc.  You get the idea right?

Let’s take a look at a smaller type example.  You go grocery shopping where you can also buy other everyday items that you are bound to walk past.  Something catches your eye and now you’re on the road to buying something you may not have bought in the first place.  You end up buying it and now four weeks later you realize you didn’t really like it all that much in the first place or you barely use it. 

We’ve all been there!  Try it out next time and see if it saves you a headache! 

4. Clean

Tell me if this is you.  You start a job of fixing/repair a thing that needs fixin’ and now you need a tool you don’t have readily at your grasp. 

Next, you dig through your drawers trying to find that dang tool you know you have somewhere in the house, garage, in your car, etc.   Finally you give up and go buy one because you don’t have time to figure out where that thing is.

If this is you, then let’s get to cleaning!

What Are the Ways Cleaning Can Help Save You Money?

• Find lost items
• Find a source of entertainment buried on an old shelf or box
• Find items buried away that have value you can sell for
• Wash your own car
• Prevent repairs by doing regular cleaning maintenances on appliances
• Exterminator Fees (Dirty environments are prone to bugs and pests)
• Reduce energy costs by replacing air filters regularly
• Battery costs (Regularly change or remove batteries of unused items to prevent corrosion)

As an added bonus try doing this with your friends and ask for any tips they have for cleaning that save them money.

You can also try getting your kids to help!  Some parents are so thrilled their children clean they will reward them by buying them something (positive reinforcement) or perhaps willing to pay for doing these types of chores.

5. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

What is the meaning of reduce, reuse, recycle?  Basically, attempt to use things less (reduce), use things again (reuse), and turn old items into new items (recycle.) There are so many things in the world that can be reused for another purpose.  When we reduce waste by reusing or recycle items we help the environment and often our wallets. 

Write a list before reading below to see if you come up with any of the same ones listed here on ways to reuse everyday items:

• Glass jars (leftovers, make candles, grow a plant)
• Plastic containers (for leftovers)
• Old towels and T-shirts (rags for cleaning)
• Egg cartons – (Use for storing and sorting smaller items like nails and office supplies)
• Empty cardboard boxes – (Donate to a cat! Or for shipping purposes)
• Plastic bags  (Trash bag liners)
• Newspapers (Gift wrapping)
• Tennis balls (Pets toy)
• Old luggage (possible storage bin?)
• Old pillows (perfect for pet catnapping and bedding)
• Ice cube trays (organizing small items)

See if you can find something to repurpose in your home and save you money.

When you’ve depleted your ability to reuse, this may be the time to recycle

6. Carefully Choose Your Partner/Spouse

Howdddieee partner!  Pun intended.

How does your mate do with spending, finances, and saving?  It may be time to analyze some of this to attempt to make your life a little easier.

If you’re single, you can use this going forward and perhaps do a little analysis while you’re in the dating pool.

If you’re not, this is not a problem.  Use it as a thought provoking and conversation piece to dive more into your finances as a couple working towards a common goal.

7. Go to the Library

How to save money on books and other content you ask?  There’s a secret kept by some….once upon a time, there was this wonderful place that existed with a slew of books you could pluck off a shelf and “check out” for FREE.  Now granted you were given a “due date” to bring it back but could also renew this date sometimes if you weren’t finished reading it.  This wonderful world of stories and facts is called the library!

What typically happens after someone buys a new book and reads through it?

They put it on a shelf or store it away right?

Instead of spending money on a new book or other media, why not check your local library to see if they have what you’re looking for?

Books

Reading can be essential to higher learning.  While there are many ways to ingest information, one of the oldest and most enjoyable can be reading a book from start to finish.  Let your imagination run wild or learn with Non-Fiction books. 

Movies and Music

Libraries may have movies too in DVD, Blu-rays, or other formats.  That’s right, there are many libraries that keep movies stocked to “check out” as well for a sense of variety.  They also may have music in the format of CDs, records, or digital.

Digital Content, Magazines, Newspapers, Archives

Let’s not forget about all the ways we can access data now.  In a digital age there may be access to academic journals, e-books, digital magazines, etc. through library websites.  Physical and/or digital copies of magazines and newspapers may also be available for review.

In any case, if you haven’t thought about your local library in some time, give a shot and see if there’s anything there that may help you save some money.

8. Educate Yourself 

Since we just spoke about the library this is the perfect opportunity to talk about educating yourself.

If you want to get further away from debt, the more you know about finance the better.

Find the Finance Section

There is typically a dedicated section to books on the subject of financial matters whether library, website, or bookstore.  You’ll be hard pressed to get through all of the information in this area but is well worth the time.

The Experts

Tons and tons of videos are out there for best practices but be careful who you entertain yourself with.  Pick a trusted and credible person that has a reputation for giving good advice.   

You don’t have to follow every bit of advice you read but the more you know, the more choices and flexibility you can have towards decisions and your financial future.

Watch multiple videos and read many materials on the same subject to see if the advice repeats itself or is totally opposite what you’ve read.  It is possible that there may just be an idea that is a new concept alive out there.  If you are introduced to something new, research it thoroughly for added reassurance.

Incorporating Your Education

Now that you’re educated and have thoroughly researched, if/when the time is right you may work towards incorporating new ideas and practices into your life.

If you’re really struggling to know what is best, seek the advice of a certified professional.

9. Cook at Home

Cooking at home will often save you money.  Sometimes you will even have a meal for days or weeks if you’re cooking a large portion. 

While going out to eat can be tempting, it is typically going to smack your wallet harder than cooking at home.  You’ll also need to add on gas, time, tips, ordering too much food, etc. to your list of reasons it may be wise to avoid eating out.

Ordering delivery or from food delivery services can acquire upcharges, increased pricing, tips, and still the possibility of getting the wrong food or missing part of your order.  It happens!

There’s an exception to every rule.  Unless you will somehow save more money with discounts, promo codes, etc. it is typically cheaper to cook yourself.

While you’re at it, cook meals a few days so you already have meals lined up (avoiding impulse hunger buys.)

10. Don’t Go to the Grocery Store Hungry

Lesson learned!  If you can avoid it, don’t go to the grocery store hungry.  You can end up buying wayyyy more than intended (causing more money to be spent.)

If you don’t buy more than intended you may buy the wrong kinds of food like extra junk food or simply put just torture yourself looking at food everywhere until you get home to cook it.

Eat first, then your brain will be less focused on eating and more focused on better choices while grocery shopping.

11. Grow Your Own Food

Time to put your gardener hat on!  There’s many benefits to growing what you can.

Lower Produce Costs

If you’re able to buy and grow your own items it will be generally cheaper than buying fresh produce from the store.  While the upfront costs may be higher initially, over time this should prove to be cheaper.  If it does not, do some research to figure out why and possibly reassess costs, supplies, etc.

Saving on Grocery Bills

Growing a variety of items that are often bought in the store can cut down on your grocery bill.  In addition to produce, herbs and vegetables grown can cut even further into spending at the store.

12. Never Cosign on a Loan

This one is a biggie.  If you get asked in your life to cosign on say an auto loan what should you answer?

Politely say NO.  Why?

The decision to do something nice for someone is not just a nice gesture.  It will follow you in ways you may not know.  Check out some of the reasons and risk you take on when this happens:

You Become Responsible

Now that you have signed you become a responsible party in paying that loan.  If the primary borrower defaults on their payment, now it becomes your responsibility to pay the loan.

Your Credit Score

Guess what takes a hit when the primary borrower defaults or misses a payment?  Negative ding to the credit.  Now you’re responsible for a payment and getting hits to your credit score as result.  All of that and I bet you don’t even get to drive the car!

Your Relationship

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention your relationship with the person that asked (primary borrower.)  What does this type of default or hits to your credit do to your relationship with this person?  Now you’re fighting over something that was done in good faith and as a favor in many cases.

Collection Agencies

Ah but it only gets better from there right?  Wrong.  If the loan gets to the point of it going to collection agencies, now you are definitely getting collection calls, notices, etc. and a huge dive in your credit score. 

It’s Mostly Out of Your Control

All of this happening is mostly out of your control.  Sure you can hassle the borrower to make their payment but other than that what can you do?  Now you’re annoyed because you are spending your time stressed and harassing the borrower to fulfill their side of the bargain as any normal, responsible person would.   This part may drive you completely nuts.

Hopefully the above is enough to make you very carefully consider a decision that has so many consequences if not paid as intended.

13. Avoid Financially Risky Behaviors Like Gambling

If you can’t afford to lose your money, avoid this type of activity.  Regardless of where you fall in this topic, arm yourself with knowledge so you know exactly what you are getting into.

Probability

If you look at the statistics of winning on various forms of gambling the odds are not in your favor. 

Whether playing in a casino, on machines, at tables, sports betting, or just plain playing the lottery you are still more likely to come out a loser than a winner.

At the end of the day it is just plain math.  If you still decide to take some risks in this area, ensure you will not be financially crippled if you lose your hard earned money.

Easily Addicting

Most people know that winning (especially a fairly good sum of money) can be addictive.  For some, just the thought of winning a big jackpot can be enough to keep adding fuel to the fire.  The desire to keep betting can result in losing some or all of your bet, resulting in negative downstream affects.

14. If Possible, Avoid Loans  (Especially at Higher Interest Rates)

Not everyone will be able to avoid loans in their lifetime, but if you can live within only what you can afford without taking out loans then you’re a few steps ahead of the game.

For the rest of the world that is just trying to make it through tomorrow this may be your only choice.  Let’s run through some of the positives and negatives of taking out a loan so you have some more information to think about before deciding if this is right for you.

15. Avoid Loans for College

Getting higher education comes at a price.  Often that price is extremely high.  Sometimes the price is so high even getting into the field you desire may not counter the amount of money spent getting your education. 

Explore any alternatives and strategies as opposed to taking out expensive student loans and see if any of them can work for you.

• Scholarships
• Grants
• Employer Tuition Assistance
• Going to Community College instead of higher-priced schools
• Working while going to school to help cover costs and avoid additional loans
• Education benefits for military service
• Saving money in advance of going to college
• Putting off going to college to save money ahead of college
• Tax-advantage savings plans

There are ways to have lucrative careers without a degree. Look into this option also. Going to college is not a requirement to get a high paying job, depending on your field.

16. Stay Focused on Avoiding Debt

This one seems simple but does take some mental discipline.  How can this be done?

Keeping your end goal in mind helps.  For some, staying out of debt is the end goal itself.

Practice and maintain the things that keep you out of debt.  This may be simple things like maintaining your budget, documenting all your purchases, building savings, etc.

Avoid as much as possible all of the things that create debt and keep yourself surrounded by people that are in tune with the same goals you have.

17. Rainy Day Fund for Unexpected Emergencies

Going back to the grandfathered concepts of financial security here.  Without a rainy day fund, there tends to be lots of rainy days.  Give yourself an umbrella so to speak, by building up an amount of savings that can weather the storm of hindering some unexpected issues and avoid financial setbacks.

18. Live Below Your Means

What does this mean?  In the interest of trying to keep it simple, say you make $50,000 a year.  Your expenses are $60,000 a year.  In this instance, you are not living below your means because your expenses are outweighing what you have the ability to pay.

The more gap you can put between the amount you make and the amount you spend, you will likely find that it is a road to a financially freer life.  For added bonus, live as far below your means as you possibly can even if you’ve already achieved living below your means in general.

19. Not Using Credit Cards

If you are prone to being tempted with credit cards and their negative features, avoid them like the plague.  There are smart ways to use credit cards for disciplined individuals.  But focusing on the task at hand there are ways to live without them.

Use Cash

Use the ole cash system with envelopes method.  This is where you take an envelope and allocate a specific cash amount that is put in the envelope for a specific budgeted item.  Once the cash is gone, that is all you have for that category.  No more cash, means no more spending. 

Don’t Take Them With You

If you know you don’t have the discipline when it comes to credit cards, don’t carry them when you go out or have them on you if you’re prone to impulse purchases.

Build Your Savings

If you don’t need to “borrow” money with a credit card, you may be less tempted to use them knowing you have money in the bank.  Being able to buy some of your wants with cash will hopefully detour spending on a credit card.

20. Track Your Spending

This is last but of course not least.  It’s hard to ignore the age old advice of tracking all of your spending.  When you see the numbers in your face on what your financial picture looks like it can really put things in perspective.  This alone may make you realize there is just no way you can spend any further for the month.

What are some ways you can track your spending?

• Pen and paper
• Spreadsheet
• A check register (yes they still make those)
• Digital applications that are made to track your spending
• Set up digital alert thresholds when you’ve reached certain limits in your spending or wish to know account balances
• Use the cash envelope system and keep a log on the envelope of your spending

References

1. Statista. (2025, January 16). Number of products purchased per person online vs. on social media 2023. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1455173/worldwide-products-purchased-per-person-online-vs-social-media/#statisticContainer