Bankruptcy can be an emotional issue. Most people wish they could avoid bankruptcy but can't quite figure out how to do it. If you feel overwhelmed with debt you may not be able to see the way out. The good news is that you can avoid bankruptcy with a few new ideas. Let's start with some facts about bankruptcy. For the fiscal year ended June, 2008, just shy of 1,000,000 people filed for bankruptcy in this country. Wages during the last 10 years have remained fairly flat while credit card debt has soared. This year alone $27 billion dollars in credit card debt was written off through bankruptcy.

Now for the goods news. Take steps to avoid bankruptcy before it begins to emerge in your life by changing your lifestyle. With today's economy in shambles we must set an example for our children and others in the same situation.

• Learn to buy and use only the things you need, things like food, gas and items for your children. Everything else is fluff.

• Stop making Mr. Edison wealthier, turn of the lights when you leave a room.

• When you need to run errands, consolidate your trips so you use less gas.

• When making purchases stop and think whether this item is a luxury or a necessity. Nine times out of ten it's a luxury.

• When seasons change, make sure you change your yard watering schedule

• Don't let water run when you're not using it

• Wash your own car

• Clean your own house

Basically, cut back on everything until you feel your debt has stabilized. That may take awhile but it's really time people started living within their means. Also, if you don't have an excellent credit score, obtaining new credit will be virtually possible. When you see your debt start to disappear, don't run out and celebrate with a credit card. Celebrate with cash. In fact, stop using credit cards altogether.