#1. First, don’t use your credit cards to buy every day items such as food, amenities, or other small items. Only use your credit card to make major purchases. It is always wiser to use cash when it comes to every day purchases. Once a person gets into the habit of using their credit card for every day purchases they will find themselves in a world of hurt.

#2. Secondly, when comes to making payments on your credit card, make it a habit to pay off your credit card in full each month. Don’t get caught up in only making the minimum payment. In doing so you will end up finding yourself paying all the interest that incurs over time. This is unnecessary debt that you can live without having to pay.

#3.Thirdly, and it should also go without saying: don’t use your credit card to make purchases that you can’t afford on the day you make them. If you can’t afford to make a large purchase today, there is a good chance that you won’t be able to afford it in the future. Using a credit card to make extravagant purchases is the easiest way to find yourself up to your neck in debt.

#4.Other things to keep in mind is that if you know you won’t be able to make your monthly required payment, you should contact your creditor in advance and let them know that you find yourself in a bind and that you will be unable to make your payment on time. Ask them if they can waive the late fees. In most cases, if you contact the creditor in advance and keep an open dialogue with them, they are very willing to work with you.

#5. Also, maintain your credit by not using the full extent of your credit. Only use 10% to 40% of your credit cards limit. The amount of debt that appears on your credit will determine your overall credit rating. Therefore, keeping your credit card balances low will benefit you greatly.

#6. You can also negotiate your interest rates with your credit card company. If you receive an offer for a credit card with a lower interest rate, contact your current credit card holder and inform them of the offer you received. In most cases your current credit card lender will work with you to lower you interest rate in order to keep you as a satisfied customer.

Avoid the credit card crunch and keep your head above water by being very conscious of what you are spending and how you are spending it.