Mitchell Allen is the co-founder of the Debt Education and Certification Foundation, a non-profit that counsels people on debt management. He has released a new book called "A Survival Guide to Debt: How to Overcome Tough Times and Restore Your Financial Health."

He says if you have a few hundred to a few thousand dollars in debt you should start by trying to make a plan to payoff the debt on your own.

"Start with making more and spending less. That starts with making a budget, knowing what your income is and knowing what your expenses are and then cutting those expenses as far as you can," Allen said.

He says there are signs when you are deep in debt that should not be ignored.

"If you're getting collection calls you know you're in serious trouble but even before that if you're paying one bill off with the other you're digging yourself a deeper hole. If you are paying everyday living expenses with a credit card and not paying it off at the end of the month you need to seek some professional help," Allen said.

He says a lot of people rush into bankruptcy without trying other solutions and although it can be helpful, it should be a last resort.

"No one wants to file for bankruptcy. Bankruptcy laws changed in 2005 making it more difficult to file bankruptcy. Talk to a bankruptcy attorney if you're not able to deal with it on your own or talk to a non-profit credit counseling organization. They'll not only tell you if it's right for you, equally as important, they'll tell you if it is not right for you," Allen said.

According to his Web site, more than one million people filed for bankruptcy in 2008 and he believes that numbers will grow because of the recession.

He says it is certainly not a new trend and cites people filing throughout history including people like Donald Trump, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Mark Twain and Thomas Jefferson and adds that the federal government has a nearly $10 trillion debt.

Allen says no matter what the solution is to your financial woes, it will not happen overnight.

"It took many people years to get into debt and you're not going to get out of debt in a month. It's going to take many months if not years to get back on your feet but if you create a plan and start working on it right away there is light at the end of the tunnel," he said.

For more information on how to get out of debt and Mitchell Allen's new book, head to

http://www.survivalguidetodebt.com/