According to statistics, today the average American faces a higher debt load than ever before. As debt loads continue to spiral, people will find it more and more difficult to get themselves out of debt -- an important goal for anyone who wants to retire safely, to make a major purchase of a house or car, or be financially secure. Following are some simple tips that can help you live the debt-free lifestyle you have always dreamed of.

First, eliminate the cards; if you're already facing a heavy debt load, don't add any more debt. The safest way to ensure that you don't incur any new debt is to make it physically impossible. Alternatively, you may choose to keep one credit card, in the care of a close friend or family member, and cut up the rest. You don't really need even one credit card.

Second, talk to a financial counselor as soon as possible. These counselors are specially trained to help people like yourself get out of debt quickly. They can help you recover from debt with a step-by-step plan, and will help you emotionally through what will be a trying time. Many debt counselors work for nonprofits, charities, and government agencies, and won't charge you a dime.

3. Choose debts to pay off wisely: this is a step often ignored by debtors, who are all too eager to rid themselves quickly of debt. They become ambitious, and pay off their first few debts haphazardly. Later, they often lose steam and stop paying off debts, leaving themselves in the same situation in which they began. Instead, with the help of your financial counselor, pick the right debts to pay off first. Select debts that are affordable to pay off, which are accruing at a high rate, and/or which are affecting your credit most severely.

4. debt consolidation : this is the single most important tip we can provide. For most or all people with debt problems, the total debt owed is so vast as to be impossible to pay off immediately. What to do? Consolidate your debts. debt consolidation is a process by which multiple smaller debts are "lumped" into a single sum. This sum can then be paid off with a reasonable monthly payment. Your debt counselor can find an agency to help you take out a consolidation debt loan.

Whether you're 25 or 65 years old, whether you owe a few thousand dollars or a hundred thousand dollars or more, and whether you're making six figures or just scraping by, debt consolidation will help you get out from under your debts. Being able to buy a car or house, or being able to plan your retirement or your children's college education, will be much easier once your debt problems are resolved.