Ever had a -$1 checking account balance, no savings and a credit card debt?

Sounds tragic but this post is here to cheer you up. The thing with money is that it doesn't bring happiness if you have it but when you don't, it can make you miserable as it becomes the only thing you can think about. Let me help you out.

I got in some credit card debt this year - nothing too crazy but I paid the insane NYC apt deposit, bought some furniture and then traveled a bit - just to take advantage of where I am and see a bit of the world - and then I struggled to pay it off. Now I'm at a point where I should be out on the surface within a month or so and I'm willing to share some advice on how to do it if you find yourself in a similar situation. This post is in English because most of these tips would not work in Poland or Latvia - in the same job position I would not dare get in any sort of debt. The idea in my opinion is that if you can't afford to save money on a monthly basis, you can't afford to get in debt. Here, the deal is to descend from very comfortable to fairly comfortable but surviving, to minimize your spending. I was able to cut 75% of my daily expenses by following the rules below. However, I know that in the long run it would not work as there are some regular expenses you just need to cover. So without further ado, here are my tips how to pay off your credit card debt fast. These are also good if you're trying to save money for a goal you see on the horizon.

1. Set your life, health and mental comfort as your priorities above your financial security. Take proper care of yourself. This way you will save on medicine and doctors, and not stretch your mental balance either. Make sure to get enough sleep.
   
2. Drink mostly filtered water. Avoid buying bottled water unless when you don't have access to a filter. To avoid the latter, carry a water bottle with you. Any glass bottle will do, no need to get fancy. Avoid buying soft drinks and juices.
   
3. Never buy coffee in coffee shops. Drink it at home and in the office.
   
4. Eat breakfast at home at all times. Overnight oats, millet and buckwheat mix with water, turmeric, cinnamon, seeds and a piece of fruit is my staple breakfast that will cost you less than a dollar per day.
   
5. Get mealpal or do meal prep at home if you have time for it. Not trying to advertise the app but it works for me and helped me cut 2/3 of my food spendings.
   
6. Don't stop working out. But consider dropping that expensive gym membership and swapping it for cheaper options such as chain gyms that cost less than $20. If you want to spice things up, google for discounted class packages for new members at different places. That's how I got exposed to four different boxing clubs and picked my favorite. In other words, take advantage of the system - it's actually what you should be doing to find what works for you best, but while you're at it, you'll save a couple bucks. Win win.
7. Don't save on quality food or, if you get sick, on health care. Remember your priorities. Financial freedom means nothing once you're sick or dead and you'd only be doing the bank a favor, and we don't care about that, it's about you!
8. If you get a large lunch, split it in half and eat it for dinner. If you happen to eat out and not finish (never my case), take it to go.
9. Make sure you always plan all your meals for the day. Chances are that if you don't have food, you'll go out to eat.
   
10. If you have no other choice, $1 pizza slices will be there for you. But don't rely on it. See item 1.
11. Shop at Polish stores even if you're not Polish. You'll often get better quality, less processed foods for a much lower price.
    
12. Bike or use public transportation. Make cabs your last option when your life or health is in danger or if you're so tired you dgaf any more. ;-) Because that would mean you worked enough to earn the ride.
13. Return your credit card to the bank. Luckily mine expired in the process which helped a lot. Only use your debit card or better yet, take a cash allowance for the day.
14. If you choose to continue using your card, change it to one with a rewards system. If your limit and strong allow, continue paying with it but pay the day off at the end of every day plus use the rewards to pay off the existing debt. Remember that it's tricky and you have to only cover necessary expenses. Buying more will result in more rewards but also generate more debt.
15. Sell clothes and books you don't need. Work overtime if your workload allows. Get a side job for one or two weekends. What you may try - tutoring, writing articles, submitting poetry and stories to magazines, translating, proofreading, petsitting, being an extra in a movie... The limits are only in your head. Put all the extra money towards your debt.
16. I don't recommend powering down on steemit or using your savings to pay off your debt. Keep the savings for an emergency. If you don't have any savings, make sure to split every extra money you get in half and put a half into your savings. Be precautious. Be smarter than me.
    
17. If you don't have a washing machine, use a laundromat but don't drop off your laundry. Make sure to bring your own detergent and softener.
18. Don't drink alcohol. Even if it fits your budget. It won't hurt to be a little ahead.
19. Unsubscribe from automatic payments. I gave up two out of four I have.
20. Splurge once in a while, just so that the situation isn't too hard on you. But if you can, skip this step.

I hope to see your stories, tips and hacks! Let me know!