Carrying a credit card guarantees you are in some measure of debt
. The issue is not to get overwhelmed with too much credit card debt. The key to avoiding the debt trap is proper planning and smart spending. It is possible to use a credit card regularly and responsibly without getting drowned in debt. While the best option is to avoid it altogether, the following tips will help you to avoid credit card debt.
Buy only what you can afford
When you buy anything on credit, you are spending money you do not yet have. This means your future earning is already spent. Keep whatever you charge on your credit card within your financial expectations for a month. This means you are treating your credit card as a debit card. Every time you make a purchase, deduct that money spent out of your monthly financial income. When there is no more money to deduct, you have reached your spending limit for that month. Buying only things you can afford to pay for helps you to avoid credit card debt. Fit your expenses within your income and live within your means.
Save. Save. Save.
It cannot be over-emphasized that's why I repeated it. If you don't have some money kept
aside every month, you are set up for a life of debt. Nobody prays for emergencies but they will come. Medical treatments and accidents are part of life and everyone will have his share. Many people end up in credit card debt because they were forced to put unforeseen charges on a credit card. When an emergency arises having an emergency fund helps you avoid credit card debt. Start by putting away a few hundred dollars every month and work on increasing it as time goes by.
Pay your balance in full every month.
Don't miss credit card payments. Make sure your balance is paid full every month. Dont carry a balance over to another month. That way you will not be increasing your debts. Also do not transfer balances from card to card. If you absolutely have to transfer balances, let it be to a card with lower interest rate. Set alerts to avoid missed or late payments
Do not use cash advances
Cash advances and convenience checks are very sure ways to get into credit card debt. Interest rates and fees are higher on these transactions than on regular purchases. It is a very bad way to use your credit card.
Other tips on how to avoid credit card debt can be found at link below Debt Information Center the internet's No.1 center for free information on debt management and consolidation.