I remember saying to my mentor, 'If I had more money, I would have a better plan.´ He quickly responded, 'I would suggest that if you had a better plan, you would have more money.´ You see, it's not the amount that counts; it's the plan that counts. -- Jim Rohn

My niece is struggling to make ends meet. As the old joke goes, no matter how hard she works to make ends meet, someone keeps moving the 'ends'.

Today's economy can be tough, so it's important to be pro-active with your finances. Take time to pay off your debts, especially those credit cards that cost you a fortune in interest.

Make a quality decision to become debt-free. The system can't control you if you're not participating! Interest charges, late fees and bill-payment stress are eliminated if you have no debt.

Seems impossible? It's not, but you've got to start where you are. Try these simple (I did not say easy!) steps to begin a pro-active journey toward financial wellness.

1. Where are you? Compile a list of every bill, the interest rate and balance due. Most of us don't even know the full picture of our finances. You can't plan where you're going if you don't know where you are.

2. What is bleeding? Do you have any idea how much 'loose cash' you spend every week? Coffee lattes, lunches out, soda and snacks. What are you willing to give up in order to pay down your debt?

3. Who gets paid off first? The credit card or loan with the lowest balance is a good place to start. You'll see victory sooner and it will motivate you to keep going.

Make minimum payments on other debt and put all your extra cash against the goal. When that one is paid off, work on the next one. Don't assume that you have extra cash to spend, just because you paid off one debt or loan. Use it to pay off the next one sooner.

4. When should you start? NOW!

5. Why does it matter? The 'system' is working against you. Banks and credit card companies want you to keep paying forever. They live on your interest and late fees.

I read a statistic not long ago that almost 1/3 of credit card company income comes from late-fees. Don't feed the greedy interest-eating monster. Better your pocket than theirs!

This is especially important if you plan to seek funding as a part of your particular success or business plan. You want to ensure that your records and credit are clean if you need to make a presentation to an investor, asking for money.

Becoming debt free is a challenge any time of year, but as you approach the Christmas season, guilt and temptation join hands, trying to entice you into spending more than you should. Don't let the two-headed monster lead you into captivity.

Freedom from debt opens doors of opportunity, builds your self-esteem, and demonstrates your capability to the world. No matter where you are, begin making pro-active decisions to win your financial freedom. Soon you'll enjoy stress-free, debt-free - financial success.