Save some money every month. Even if it’s only 5 dollars. And always pay yourself first. Then pay off your debt as quickly as possible. Pay more than the minimum amount due every month so that you can pay it off faster.

My tip is only this: simplify!

I have been able for the last two years to live on about 2 months wages per year. Of course, this is due to a simplification on an extreme level (no car, no place to live, etc)

You are obviously meaning to keep a roof, which of course necessitates more money. But truly, learning to take simple past-times, and making certain that we are not living at all beyond our means, is the easiest way I know. This does not mean that we have to live without comfort. Part of living life “on your own terms” will most likely be finding what those terms are: your desires, your goals, your limits, etc.

I wish you the best at finding your independence!