Maybe we could talk about ways to avoid getting into debt in the first place.

For one, avoid credit cards!

That's a good start.

Credit cards are kind of like potatoe chips; you just can't have only one. 
Unfortunately there are times you do need one.  The whole secret is to cutup every other one that you get.

I really dont use Credit Cards unless it is required to buy any thing , i always carry small
cash with me and use it . Using Credit Cards is a big factor for creating debt.

People end up in debt for lots of reasons - sometimes its just spending getting out of control, sometimes it's sudden job loss or ill health.

I think to avoid debt you need to educate people to start saving young, and to only ever owe the bare minimum - a small mortage - avoid even car payments if possible.  People need to learn to save up for what they want instead of borrowing to get it sooner.

I've had the borrow mentallity myself, but I'm learning to grow out of it.

1. Avoid credit cards at all costs.
2. Place all of your credit cards in a safe deposit box at your bank.
3. While at the bank, withdraw enough cash to last you for a month.

If the cards are locked away, you know how much cash you have on hand to survive for the entire month -- repeat this each month, and you will have the discipline in no time, thus paying off your credit cards at the same time.

TA, you make a lot of sense.

I actually avoid taking out cash.  If I have cash in pocket, I will spend it on stuff I don't need.

I pay either by check or by debit card and keep cash out of my pocket.

Also, credit cards are evil!  If I can't afford it by cash, I just don't get it.  Most times, once I get home, I find that I didn't need it anyway.

Seems a brilliant idea to me  

Loans of any kind, like shop cards, and some credit cards have horrendously high rates of interest. Pay them off as soon as you can, or swap all the debt to a low/no interest credit card... and keep doing this until the debt is paid.

Then don't rack up that kind of debt again:D