Reducing your debt, however large or small it may be, can seem impossible. You’ve seen all the tips and strategies, thought about the best methods for your own situation, and determined what you need to do to make it happen, but the prospect of bringing a peanut butter sandwich to work for lunch every day and staying out of the mall — indefinitely — to reach your goals, is just not appealing.

 

How can you stay motivated? One way is to think about the lifestyle you’ll have when you’ve reached your goal — and then enjoy it when you get there. Imagine what it will be like to live without the weight of debt on your shoulders.

 

According to a recent Washington Post article, Americans actually are successfully saving more now than prior to the recession. And while the economy may still be uncertain, individuals who have taken action are enjoying the results.

 

One woman mentioned in the article has paid off $5,000 in credit card debt and expects to pay off $3,000 more by April, and appreciates the simple thrill of getting a statement with a lower balance each month. Another couple mentioned recently finished paying off a five-figure debt and now enjoys saving more money and taking trips they can afford without taking on debt.

 

And a woman profiled in a recent CNN Money article changed her habits after living beyond her means while in her first job (and being the first person in her family to graduate from college and get a white-collar job and salary to budget with), and managed to save $18,000 in one year. She attributes part of her success to “getting over” the material things in life. Think about it — wouldn’t it be a relief to not only reduce your debt but also reduce your spending for the future with a solid understanding of the things you personally do and do not really need?