Does debt ever end? Sure it does, but sometimes-and especially in the summertime when we want the livin' to be free and easy-being a tight wad and counting every penny can make your toes blister. Warm summer sunshine just cries out for a hotdog at a street corner ($5), an ice cream cone, just because ($3.50), a terrific fun bag for the beach ($24), and a groovy new CD ($15). Then, we get home and wonder where the money went . . .

Staying motivated is always difficult in any venture that requires dedication and determination, no matter what your goal might be or how badly you want to get there. If you're having trouble sticking to your debt free goal, here's a little exercise to keep you truckin' towards being debt free.

Add up all your debt. Add up how much you pay out to your debts by the month, then also by the year. Are you reaching five figures at the end of the year? Now think about what you would do if you were not paying that debt, but instead all that money was going towards something that you have always desired. What about a great trip? Or a new home? Or perhaps you hope to help your kids pay for school?

This is a great way to practice what it might be like when you have money to spend (and you will, honest). It's also good practice so that when you do have some extra dough, you don't throw it away, or get yourself back into a new debt situation. Just as you feel really broke right now because you are working so hard to become debt free, when you get there, you will have new choices to make about your money.

When you remind yourself of what you owe now, and what you will feel like when you are debt free, sticking to your debt pay down plan is a lot easier. And it also helps to imagine all the things you will soon be able to buy, invest in, or places you can travel to, once that money is no longer going towards debts, but is being stashed away for your own hopes and dreams.

Reviewing the amount of money you spend every month paying off your debts can also be a smart reminder that you do not want to be debt laden ever again. And, it will help you rededicate yourself to paying that debt down and off.