Do you need help with money? Are you living in debt, and can't imagine yourself saving money, investing money, and organizing your personal finances once and for all? Many years ago I facilitated debt support groups for those looking to finally live debt free.

I will always remember one particular member in the debt support group. I'll call her Suzanne. Suzanne was 23 years old and was $50,000 in debt - in desperate need of debt relief. Every week, Suzanne would ball up in a corner of the room in the fetal position and cry about her personal finances and debt. Suzanne was scared of life, ashamed, and full of

The 12-week debt support group walked participants through the process to start managing their money, eliminate debt and waste, and to help them create a lifestyle of debt free living. At the end of the 12-week sessions I asked each participant what they got from the group, and how it had changed their lives. Suzanne said, "I was amazed how far I had come in a short period of time." When I asked how the support group changed her life she answered, "I had lived my whole life spending my money as if I didn't have a future; now I can start living like I have one."

Spending wisely and saving like you have a future is crucial to debt elimination.

What about you? Have you been living and spending like you don't have a future? Are you living with shame, guilt, and hopelessness? Are you drowning in debt? Have you put off saving money because you do not think that you can save? Are your personal finances a complete mess? Are you making excuses? I have probably heard every excuse there is on why people are in debt and why they can't start saving money. ‘I don't make enough money.' ‘I want to enjoy today, because I could die tomorrow.' ‘I'll save when I'm older and worry about my debt then.' Do not let your "temporary" financial situation dictate your future.

We all have storms in our life, but they are just for a season. Regardless of your current financial situation you can save money. It does not matter that you have debt today; you can have financial freedom and live debt free in the future. Do not let your financial situation or circumstance stop you from saving money, planning ahead and investing in your future. If debt and money mismanagement have you in debt, you can change your behavior today, and start preparing for your future of financial freedom tomorrow.

Change your habits and start saving money:Don't make enough? Get a part-time job or start a business to start saving more money. Many don't know how to save money, but sometimes saving money takes a little extra work and some imagination.

Distinguish between your needs and wants - do you need that cable service? The money you save from cutting down on your wants will eliminate your debt and help you save money for the future.

• Identify waste in your spending and eliminate it
• Track your expenses and money
• Create a spending plan and live by it
• Save a set amount of money to spend each month consistently
• Use automatic deposit for savings
• Pretend your savings doesn't exist - don't touch it!

Don't know how to save money? Start by saving a small amount of money. Be consistent with your savings. Saving $10 a week turns into $520 a year and $5,200 in ten years; that's without adding interest. Also, $25 a week can add up to $1300 in a year or $13,000 in 10 year. It may not seem like a whole lot, but it's more than you had yesterday.

Don't let debt rob you of your future and financial freedom! Make a decision today to change your mindset, behavior, and to start living debt free while saving money. Start saving like you have a future, because you do!

Sharman Lawson is a financial coach, speaker, and author of the book 12 Steps to Eliminate Debt Forever! Visit her website at www.sharmanlawson.com.