When you’re in the midst of battling your debt or saving up for your eventual retirement (yes, even in the midst of this economy), it may be tempting to search for financial advice that’s as long and complicated as the path to a debt-free and financially comfortable lifestyle. After all, if the process of getting rid of debt can take years, the best financial advice should be equally as long and complex, right?

Actually, some of the best debt-busting advice revolves around the oldest sayings in the book. Get ready to simply your money woes by following these little nuggets of financial advise, all of which are ten words or less:

Put aside money whenever you get paid. It can be all too easy to believe that it takes big chunks of money to get rid of your debt, not to mention winning a few lotteries here and there! However, even the smallest contribution towards your credit card debt or your mortgage will take you one step closer towards the financial freedom that you’ve been dreaming about. Small but determined steps will always get you to the finish line, while waiting for that lottery win will hardly get you to where you need to go!

Know the difference between needs and wants. Thanks to the recession, it’s almost certain that you’ve heard this advice before; however, it couldn’t be more spot on when it comes to straightening out your finances. Needs are things like food, shelter, utilities and other items that make your household work – wants are luxury electronics, brand-name clothes and other splurges that will just plummet you further in the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle.

Buying quality is smart. Stretching your money is all about finding cheaper options; yet sometimes it’s more financially savvy to buy a high-priced quality item than to downgrade (fashion doesn’t count!). A high-quality item will be backed by a support team who will fix it for free whenever it breaks down or doesn’t work – just try getting that same deal out of the cheaper guys!

Save today what you want tomorrow. Credit cards have made it all too easy to go out and purchase whatever we want without saving up for it. Yet if you want to break out of the debt cycle, you need to save up for those purchases that you want, as credit card balances will just keep you in that dreaded debt cycle. If you want that expensive mp3 player, then put aside money each month for it, since you’ll feel better listening to it knowing that it’s completely paid off!

If you need more money, make more money. Feel like your income isn’t enough to pay off that debt? Then stop complaining and make more money. You don’t need a second job in order to make a considerable chunk of change that can be put towards debt; instead, sell old books and clothes on ebay or have a garage sale with your family members and friends. That extra income will go a long way towards paying off your debt, not to mention give you extra room to breathe in your budget!