I am sure you know the problem, every month counting the days to pay day, worrying about your finances. I think that just about everyone at some point in their life has experienced this.

Unfortunately, many people hear the adverts from the loan companies talking about debt consolidation and other options and get suckered in without knowing enough to be able to decide if debt consolidation is right for them. The loan companies claim that they want to help you but actually they just want to sell you a debt consolidation package or a loan with a ridiculously high interest rate. Remember, those companies only make money when we are in debt. If you and I sort out our finances, they go out of business.

Whether you have debts or just feel that your finances are controlling you and not the other way around, it is time to fight back!

Your finances are only controlling you because you let them. It is a bit like feeling nervous when speaking to someone who is an expert in their field, you may feel you are unable to talk on the same level and feel intimidated. However, when you are relaxed chatting to your mates about your favourite football team etc you can hold your own and are comfortable. The only difference between those two scenarios is your knowledge. When you have the knowledge and understanding, you can take on the world!

So how do you get knowledgeable about managing your finances?

I will try to share some tips with you. However, a short article like this could never go into enough detail, I will just try to explain the concepts to need to grasp. If you do want more information, visit my website www.moneyinmypocket.co.uk where you will find additional information and my detailed Debt Reduction manual which explains in detail everything that is covered here and much much more.

So what are the core concepts?

1) Know your finances intimately
2) Decrease you expenditure
3) Increase your income
4) Play the interest rate game

Know your finances intimately

The very first thing you need to do is now exactly what money you have and where it goes. So workout your monthly income and detail the sources. Does the income come from an employer, state benefit, interest etc? Then detail out all your expenses.

Decrease you expenditure

You need to cut costs. There is always a way you can do this. By knowing all your expenses you can go through each expense and work out how to reduce it. My manual spends a lot of time on this subject and shares all the tips and tricks that I have learnt, it can show you how you can save thousands of pounds each year and gives examples of people who have done exactly that. Also, don