Consumer debt is currently at the highest level in U.S. History. More people are charging for gas, groceries, and bills just to get through everyday life. If you consistently run out of money before the monthly bills are all paid, then you need to take the following steps to get it under control:

1. Stop Spending.

Learn to live on your current income. If you're currently in a bad situation, go into a strictly maintenance mode. Repair things rather than replace them. Delay all major purchases, and eliminate anything that's not really needed.

2. Stop Borrowing.

Unless you've experienced a job loss or family illness, credit cards are probably behind your financial problems. If you can't pay cash for something, you probably can't afford it. Cut up the plastic! You don't have to close your accounts, but remove the temptation to use them.

3. Find New Sources of Cash.

Once you've gotten a handle on your spending and borrowing, it's time to start paying down debts. Obviously, the reduced spending will generate some extra money you can apply to paying. You'll want to focus on paying one debt at a time. You may have tried to pay a little extra here or there on your debts, but it doesn't work. You'll need a concentrated effort to pay off one debt at a time until it's completely paid in full. Then, you'll use that extra money to pay off your second bill. Continue this until they're all paid for in full.

If you've tried to cut expenses and you still need extra money to pay off debt, consider a part-time job. Try to find something that pays better than the average part-time job, such as a service business. For example, if you can tutor kids after school, mow lawns, or perform a service in your neighborhood, then you'll have a much better chance of earning more per hour. You'll also have better control of your schedule.