All week on Making it in America, we're talking about our Debt Diet: How to get your budget back in order for 2013!   

Making it in America is trying to help you start the new year debt free, and for a lot of Americans, this may require going on what we like to call a "debt diet."

Marriage & Money: Not a match made in heaven

To help us get into some new money-saving habits, we asked Lynette Khalfani-Cox to stop by Making it in America. She's the author of "Zero Debt," and the founder of AskTheMoneyCoach.com. Lynette explains her top five tips, and how to make them work in your life! From using your tax refund wisely to selling old electronics, some of the simplest solutions can make a big difference.

Here are Lynette's 5 tips:

• Use your raise
• Put your tax refund check to good use
• Sell stuff you no longer want or use
• Negotiate lower interest rates
• Find a professional (use debt counseling or a debt management program)