Can you dig your way out of credit card debt? Yes, you absolutely can.

It happens fast. You’re running short on cash and you decide to use your credit card, and when the bill comes due you’re still short on cash, so you pay the minimum payment and you continue to use your card to offset your cash shortages. This is a common dilemma--and one that can grow into a big problem unless you take control.

You may already have accumulated debt on several cards, and if you have, don’t waste time and energy beating yourself up over it. It’s done. You have the debt. Now you have to take steps to eliminate it, or it will be there for a very long time, stealing away your energy, financial freedom and family unity.

So when you find yourself mired in credit card debt, the first thing you need to do is stop using credit cards altogether. Commit yourself to not using them, even when you feel like you’re going to run short. You’re going to have to break your dependence and reestablish some self-discipline. Get the scissors and cut up the cards, (saving one for real emergencies). That way you won’t be tempted to use them when the going gets rough.

Now sit down and look at your credit cards. Figure out what the interest rates are on each one, and when you have determined which one charges the highest rate, then you know that you are going to target paying that credit card off first. Continue to make the minimum payments on all your other cards, but scrape together as much as you can to pay more than the limit on your highest card. Once you get this card paid off, and then start on the one charging the next highest rate until you have freed yourself.

It may seem impossible to you now, but it’s not. You can get yourself out of debt. But you have to develop self-discipline and follow a strategy to get it done.

What can you do to avoid future credit card problems?

• Do not toss those 'Change of Terms' provisions in credit card agreements notices that are included with your bills from time-to-time. Read the notice, make sure you understand the small print, then file it with your credit card information.
  
  
• Do not wait until the last minute to put your bill in the mail. Late payments are expensive and can result in penalty interest rates, that means that your previously agreed upon lower rate may be raised.
  
  
• Be careful about paying a bill by telephone. Some credit card issuers charge up to $15 if you pay your bill over the phone, even when it is on time.
  
  
• Think twice before you transfer a balance. Be sure to check to see if there is a "balance transfer fee". How much is it? If there is no transfer fee, is the ample time to pay off your debt or at least reduce the debt a significant amount before you are charged interest. Also make sure you know what the interest will be. You have to do the math before you can know whether you are really going to save money when you transfer a balance.

Visit www.consumer-action.org for more credit card information.