Seven ways to do so:

1) Begin by checking your credit card debt. Write down the dollar amounts. The cold hard facts should serve as motivation to cut back on spending until you clear up your unpaid balances. It's generally best to pay off the credit card with the highest interest rate.

Some savings suggestions. Rent movies, watch them at home and pop your own popcorn. Or, in many theaters, films are cheaper early in the day. And, if you're of a certain age, buy discounted senior tickets. Eat at home rather than in restaurants. Take the bus instead of a taxi; or join a carpool. Return those presents you don't need or like. Invest in a thermos and forgo that Starbucks or Dunkin' Donut latte.

        $TIP: You'll find several helpful financial calculators at:

http://www.dinkytown.net/.  Click on "Savings Calculators" and then take time to use at least two in this category - "The Benefit of Spending Less" and "Savings Goals" (how to reach them).

2) Leave credit & debit cards at home. Pay with cash or by check. Psychologically it's more difficult to shell out cash, so you'll wind up not only spending a lot less but also avoiding those outrageously high fees on unpaid balances. (Of course, you will need to use a card for big purchases, travel expenses and/or items that you may wish to return.)

3) Set a limit on walking around money. Determine how much you need on a weekly basis for newspapers, snacks, bus or subway fare, gasoline and other incidentals. Continual runs on your ATM play havoc with any budget. And, if you use an ATM that's not in your bank's system, you'll be hit each and every time with a service fee.

4) Write it down. How much you're spending. Do so for one full month. You may be surprised, even shocked at how much you're involved with for manicures, drinks after work with colleagues, fresh flowers, brunch, bowling and beer, impulse purchases.

5) Get lower credit card rates. If you have a good credit history, call your credit card issuers and ask for a lower rate. You may land one, especially if they think you will take your business elsewhere.

$TIP: To find cards with the lowest rates and those without annual fees, check with: www.lowcards.com.

6) Sign up for automatic transfers. From your checking account to a savings account. Even though interest rates are almost nil, if you don't see it, you won't spend it.

$TIP: Your employer may offer an automatic savings plan or purchase of EE Savings Bonds.

7) Set up your own Christmas or Holiday Club. Total up how much you spent on the holidays. Divide by 12. If you spent $2,000, you will need to save slightly more than $166 per month to meet your goal: a debt-free 2012 holiday season!

   - Nancy Dunnan