Resolution Tips

Smoking Debt New Year’s resolutions are on the top of people’s minds today. Today we look at how to quit smoking and reduce debt.

by Chad Petri

Published: Tue, January 01, 2008 - 6:43 am CST Last Updated: Tue, January 01, 2008 - 9:33 am CST

At the end of the holiday season, many people end up staring down large credit card bills. Step one to ending debt is to stop charging, and write down all expenses.

“Because what you've got to first do is look at all of your expenses question each one of them see if they can be reduced or eliminated,” says Credit Counseling Service Coordinator Scott Hehman. “Use that extra money to pay towards the credit card debt.” Hehman says you should set specific amounts to pay each month, rather than the minimum. Companies may cut you some slack

“Some credit card companies may offer a may lower some of the interest or minimum payments,” says Hehman. Whether your new year's resolution is to get out of debt or anything, it's important to write stuff down, that way you know where you started and where you're going.

“To imagine yourself going through the plan to make it as automatic as possible,” says Clinical Psychologist Cay Welch.

Quitting smoking is another big new year's challenge. Southern Alabama Cancer Center president Dr. John R. Russell says patients need incentives to quit.

“There's a much higher risk coronary artery disease, l vascular disease lung cancers,” says Dr. Russell. “We've also defined 13 other cancer sites.”

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