Staying debt-free is a financial goal many of us want to stick to. But when it comes to managing our money from day to day, how can we actually avoid the need to borrow?

One of the most practical ways of staying out of debt is by creating a successful budget. It's a piece of advice you may have heard many times before, but it really is a great way of keeping on top of your cash and tracking your spending - if it's done well.

Although planning a budget will take some time and require some careful thought about your finances, it could help you save a small fortune in the long term (not to mention helping you steer clear of credit card bills, lenders' letters and everything else that comes with being in debt).

This article, provided by DACScotland, offers some tips for putting together a debt-proof budget.

Take a close look at your spending

Spending more than you need to - or more importantly, can afford to - on your monthly expenses could lead to you blowing your budget and getting into financial problems.

It's a good idea to get together all your receipts, bills and bank account statements for the past month and take an in-depth look at your outgoings - so you can spot areas where you may be overspending.

Ask yourself some questions. Could you switch to a cheaper energy supplier? Could you get a season ticket or travel pass that would cut the cost of commuting to work? Don't forget to look at your non-essential spending too. After all, it's the little things - such as buying a coffee every morning, or buying lunch out a few times a week - that could really add up to put a dent in your budget.

Once you've done this and reviewed your spending habits, you'll be in a better position to make some positive changes.

Work out your earnings

The second, equally essential part of good budgeting is keeping track of your income. After all, you'll need to know exactly how much money you have available before you can decide how it should be spent.

You should work out: your monthly salary, any benefits you receive, any extra income you might get from doing any overtime or work on the side, and any other money you regularly receive.

Obviously, this won't always be a fixed amount. For example, if you find out you're entitled to extra benefits or you get an unexpected tax rebate, your budget could get a welcome boost. But the opposite is also true: having to take time off work one month due to illness, for instance, could knock $s off your earnings.

This is why it's important to carry out regular reviews, so you know exactly how much cash you have available.

This sponsored post is by Craig Davies