This article is by guest blogger Samantha Spuckler, a fun & fabulous financial writer.

How do you get out of debt? Leave your “shop till you drop” mentality at the door!

Because I know a lot about credit card consolidation, I am often bombarded with questions regarding managing credit card debts.

Although credit consolidation is a very reliable method of paying back your debts in a hassle free manner, it is best that you pay back your credit card debts by your own efforts.

Paying back debt on your own will teach you invaluable finance management habits. You will notice that there are a number of habits which, if you let go of, can help you save a lot of money.

When it comes to us women, it is a universal fact that we lose our senses at the sight and smell of a mall! Whether it be shopping for clothes, or housewares, or food, we women tend to overindulge sometimes.

Here are a few tips, based on my personal experience, on how you can reduce your expenditure on shopping so that you don’t mount up your credit card debts.

TIP #1: Rummage your wardrobe before going out to shop.
Many a times I have a shirt top or a scarf in a dark corner of my closet which I had completely forgotten about. Good thing I didn’t go out and buy a new one to replace the one I forgot I had!

Also, there are those impulse buys. These are garments that you couldn’t resist buying but most of the time don’t end up wearing. Why not do a clothing swap with your friends and exchange those un-wearables for new stuff for FREE?

TIP #2: Buy basic color tops and accessorize them.
You should try and mix and match your clothes in such a way that helps you buy less. Buy a number of tops in basic colors and accessorize them with fun patterned scarves, slick jackets, or unique jewelry. This way you will feel like you have a variety of clothes as each will lend you a different look.

TIP #3: Go to the grocery store AFTER eating.
This may sound bizarre but trust me it works. When you go to buy food on a hungry stomach you often end up buying every delicious item that catches your eye. But with a full stomach you can concentrate properly on just the items you need and be done with it.

TIP #4: Go grocery shopping less often.
Instead of buying things every other day, you should make a weekly list of items that you need and buy them once a week or twice per month. This way you save money on transportation that you would have spent going food shopping more often. Also, when you buy larger quantities you can get discounts quite often.

The above four tips have been tried and tested and have created positive results. These methods can help you in spending less and reducing your credit card bills.

Samantha Spuckler is a  writer for various finance related communities, including www.debtconsolidationcare.com. She is a financial writer by profession and has specialization in dealing with financial problems and solutions to those problems.

Want Agatha K blog updates & special offers delivered straight to your email? SIGN UP HERE