Credit card debt is one of the worse debts we can have as consumers. The interest rates on credit cards is one of the highest of all the debts we carry. Credit card debt is a very big problem many people have, especially in the west. Americans alone have credit card debt in the trillions of dollars. Most of this debt is due to consumers not having patience and buying goods they can not afford when they purchase them.

Once you have accumulated credit card debt, it’s not impossible to eliminate, but it could be difficult. Two of your choices are to hire a debt paying service or do-it-yourself. There are pros and cons to both. Debt charges usually charge a fee. Doing it yourself requires patience, discipline and planning.

However, there is more to paying off credit card debt then just what meets the eye. Here we are talking about the life after you pay off credit card debt successfully. As mentioned before, not everyone is able to pay off their credit card debt. Unfortunately, many people fail too.

You have followed your plan and paid off your credit card debt successfully. What do you do now to keep it paid off and not fall back into old spending habits? Remember, there is life after having credit card debt, and it will be much more enjoyable than when you had it.

First, congratulate yourself for paying off your credit card debt. Not everyone has the discipline to do this. Unfortunately, many people fail too. On the other hand, some people who were successful at paying off their debt, fail to keep this debt down. Over time some people build their credit card debt right back up.

It has been shown that habits take at least 30 day to change. It should take more than 30 days of different spending and payoff habits to eliminate your credit card debt. The key is to keep these habits up once your debt has been eliminated. Below are simple rules you can utilize to keep your credit card debt down. There are many more but these few can be implemented without too much stress:

1) Do not overspend. Yielding to the sale offers for something that you don’t really need, is a big mistake that leads to overspending.

2) Only charge when you have absolutely no other alternative.

3) Use your credit cards like a 25 - 30 day interest free loan. Pay it off before just the finance charges kick in.

4) Don’t hold more than 2 credit card accounts (two are enough for anyone).

The advice given above is from the experiences of one who has mastered the usage of credit cards. Credit cards are a wonderful tool if used properly. They can provide us with interest free loans, and offer us a lifestyle we might now otherwise afford. The problem and stress comes when we misuse them. Take the above advice seriously, and use it wisely. Join us in living your life to the fullest and having a Conscious Money Lifestyle.

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