Credit Cards - Blessing or Curse?

Are they the solution to your money problem - or could they be the problem?

Granted, most of us would have a hard time paying cash for a car, let alone a house, and for those things, credit (or debt) is generally the only way most of us can buy them.

But taking on debt to purchase a home or a car is a far different situation from using credit cards to buy "things" you really can't afford and probably don't need.

That's a fast track to overhwelming debt, and we want to help you avoid that nightmare.

We have made the transition from our parents' generation, taught savings and cautious money management by their own parents, who lived through the Great Depression, to a society that expects instant gratification.

Instead of teaching our children to earn and save money to buy those expensive toys they want, we are conditioning them to expect the world handed to them on a silver platter, right NOW, with nothing to look forward to, and nothing required of them in exchange. And if they don't get it, they act like spoiled brats, which, let's face it, we have created.

In order to satisfy those demands for instant gratification, we have increasingly used credit cards to buy consumer items we really can't afford and probably don't even need.

Many times, it's a matter of keeping up with the Joneses. In many cases, we don't really want the item as much as we want to have the experience of buying it or be able to say we own it.

So, have you suddenly found yourself drowning in credit card debt, and you don't understand how you got there?

Maybe it's all those little things you whip out your credit card to pay for. Twenty dollars here, thirty dollars there, and pretty soon you're talking real money. How does it add up so fast?

It's far too easy to justify little things you don't really need when you can so easily swipe that credit card and worry about it later.

Unfortunately, that's exactly what you'll do.

Worry. And worry some more.

And worry if you'll EVER get out from under all that credit card debt! Before you realize what's happening, you've maxed out your credit lines, and you discover you can no longer make the minimum monthly payments. That's a combination that spells d-i-s-a-s-t-e-r.

Credit cards can be a very useful tool, when used properly. But you must learn to use them wisely, and not let them take control of your life.

If you're like us, you probably get credit card offers in the mail on a regular basis. Before your use them to apply for credit cards, take the time to go online and compare credit card offers. Not all are created equal.

If you're already deep into credit card debt, then you need to find some credit card debt relief. You may want to consolidate credit card debt, or use balance transfer cards to shift the balance from a card charging high interest rates to a card with a lower interest rate or a 0 interest credit card. You'll have to find some way to effect a credit card debt reduction.

Learn about credit card debt management. In order to find your family's best option for credit card debt relief, you will need to educate yourself about the different types of relief available, and compare them to see which will generate the best result for your particular situation.

Some will suggest that your consolidate credit card debt. That may or may not be a good option, depending on the method of consolidation and the terms. One of the most important factors in making debt consolidation work is having the discipline to not run up a balance on the cards you paid off when you consolidated that debt. If you don't have the discipline to put away the paid off cards and not use them any more, then credit card debt consolidation could just get you further into debt.

Of course, the very best solution is paying off credit card debt completely!

How would you like to be able to pay off all your credit card debt in the next three years or so, on your current income?

You're probably saying, "There's NO WAY I could pay off my credit card debt on my current income." Well, we're here to tell you there IS a way, and it will work regardless of your current income level (but you must have SOME income).

We're putting the finishing touches on a special new program that will help you easily reduce or eliminate your credit card debt, on your present income, no matter what that is.

If you'd like to know when it will be available, sign up below, and we'll let you know when it's released. We only ask for your first name and e-mail address, and we won't share your e-mail address with anyone! We hate spam as much as you do.

Would you like to know how much credit card interest you'll pay if you make only the minimum payment on YOUR credit card bill?

Use our minimum payment credit card interest calculator to find out.

Other pages you may be interested in:

True Cost of Credit Card Purchases

Can you safely navigate the interest rate minefield? Learn where to watch out for "gotchas!"

OK, you've decided you can use credit cards responsibly, and not get over your head in debt. Find best credit cards for military personnel.

Have you gotten your free annual credit report? Use our link to make sure you're getting it through the Federal Trade Commission website, and not some scam site.

Did you know your credit score matters for a lot more than just buying a house or car, or getting a new credit card? It can make the difference in whether you get a new job, and can determine the amount you pay for insurance premiums, among other things. Check it out.

We hope you'll check back here often, and let us help you learn to manage credit so that it becomes an asset rather than a liability.

Obviously, the first step in learning to manage credit is learning to Take Command of Your Debt. We'll show you how you can easily pay off your current credit card debt in an average of 3-5 years, and create a path to a lifetime of financial freedom for your family!

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