[Jo Bo]

I think finding out what you really want comes first - the motivation arises from that. Just saying 'I want to be out of debt' or 'I want to be able to save some money' may not be enough. Sit down and decide where you want to be and what you want to be doing in 1 year, 5 years, 10 years, or longer depending on your age. A couple of good books may help - I like the 'voluntary simplicity' types for inspiration. Make a list of scenarios - even if you think they are completely out of reach. Even look for inspiration in your teenage years - what did you see yourself doing when you were younger. When you have decided where you want to be you then need to decide how to get there, including planning your finances accordingly. Write down goals - small steps are easier and help keep you motivated. Write down strategies to achieve these goals. E.g. a simple example could be you may have always wanted to go to Europe. You know this will cost $5000. Your goal may be to get to Europe within 5 years - so you know you will need to save at least $1000 a year. Make a list of things you are going to do to enable you to save - your strategies - and break them down further - I will save $84 a month or $20 a week by not eating out, or bringing my lunch to work or cancelling my gym membership and taking up walking instead, buying the childrens clothes in consignment/charity shops, etc. Always keep your goals in mind to prevent impulse splurging. Unless you're a 'natural' conservative spender, which I'm not(!), you need concrete specific goals to motivate you. 'Get out of debt' isn't specific enough - 'pay credit card off by paying an extra $50 every month is much more motivating and achievable. I am hoping to pay out my mortgage and accumulate an emergency fund by June 2006. One of my aims/strategies will be to live on less than half my wages until then - the motivation is provided by knowing I will be mortgage free and able to choose how many hours a week I want to work in the future!

Regards

Jo