"When all else fails…check your math." Sometimes, when you add up all your obligations, you just can't find anything in the plus column to cover them. That's when the real work begins.

Budgeting - It's a simple concept. Write down every cent you expect to owe monthly and compare it to your monthly income. Is there a surplus or a shortfall? If you have a shortfall, skip down to our next topic, debt reduction. If you have a surplus, go back through recent receipts and see where the money is going. What can be cut back or eliminated? Write down exactly how you intend to spend your paycheck, including necessities and extras. Be sure to add a line to your budget for savings, even if it is a small amount. Then, stick with it. Click for more budgeting tips.

Debt Reduction - If you're seeking cash to lower debt, there may be a better way. First -- hands off your retirement account, and your credit cards. For starters, stop making new charges. Then, list the amount owed on each card and the card's interest rate. Begin by paying as much as you can monthly to the highest-rate card and making minimum payments on each of the other cards. Once one card is paid off, tackle the one with the next highest interest rate, and so on. It will take time, but you'll eventually free up cash while preserving long-term savings.