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Debt is an ever growing problem for our society. Huge numbers of people are declaring bankruptcy every month and far more are struggling to meet their minimum payments.

For those that don't manage to avoid bankruptcy, the effects can stay with them for many years. The stigma that was once attached to it has lessened but it can and does still cause many difficulties for its victims. For example, It can cause you trouble when you apply for a job because employers can now credit check you.

For some, it may be their only option but for many, there may still remain a chance if they take action.

47% of credit card holders only pay off the minimum balance on their card each month. This is the worst way to pay them off, guaranteeing that you will still be in debt for many years to come.

It is part of our culture and what seems to be our consumer ethos, to buy now and pay later. We feel that we are owed what we want and should have it without working for it. The problem is that we end up having to work for it anyway and even harder than if we had done it first!

It is time to take a stand and make a difference in your life and to help you do that, here are the 7 top tips to help you become debt free.

Tip 1. Put it all down on paper. Make a list off all of your debts. It sounds like an easy task and it is. You need to write down your creditors names, total amounts outstanding and monthly payments. Be prepared as it can be a bit scary especially if you haven't listed them all before. But don't worry; you'll get on top of it.

Tip 2. Decide what your most important debts are. You may want to pay off a few small balances first to get some small wins. Otherwise, you should pay everything that you can to the debt with the highest interest while paying the minimum to the rest. When you have paid that off, you should take all of that amount and add it to your payments for the debt with the next highest interest and so on.

Tip 3. Destroy your Credit Cards. While you still have your credit cards, there is always a chance that you will use them. No matter how strong you think you are, there may come a time when you are weak and will use them. If you don't have them then you can't, so get rid of them! Don't forget to cancel them with the issuer when you have paid them off otherwise it will still show on your file as available credit.

Tip 4. Check out your credit report. It's worth making sure that no companies have put black marks on your report. If they have and it's a mistake then you should contact them and get it fixed. If it is not a mistake, you should still contact them, try to pay the debt off and see if they will remove the mark. It is worth it down the line to have a clean credit report.

Tip 5. Work out a spending plan. Spendig plan or budget, they are both the same and the benefits of working out a realistic plan can be huge. Apart from the benefits of knowing exactly where you stand, you will know how much you can spend without feeling guilty.

Tip 6. Don't switch one debt for a worse one! If you are a home owner, it may be tempting to take out a loan secured on it to pay off your credit cards. This can backfire badly though if you fail to keep up the repayments because now your creditors can take your home away from you. If you are considering this route, you should seek professional help from someone who does not stand to profit from you first.

Tip 7. Don't do it alone. There is plenty of help and advice available to you; you just have to look for it. Talk to debt charities, I guarantee that they won't be surprised or shocked no matter how bad your situation is. They will however be able to offer good and helpful advice.