| Hate to get the mail because of the many bills? | | | | Step 3: If any of your cards have a rewards |
| Well, take a deep breath and let's see what we | | | | program, find out if you can use any of your |
| can do about your problem. There are many | | | | reward points as part of your payment. Most |
| people like you out there some probably with a | | | | credit card companies won't do this but it never |
| bigger problem than you have but let's see what | | | | hurts to ask. |
| we can do to eliminate your problem. | | | | Step 4: Make a budget and stick to it. Pay cash |
| Step 1: Look at the whole picture of your | | | | for everything. Do not charge anything and add to |
| available credit. Ideally you should have only 1 | | | | your problem. A formalized budget on paper will |
| major credit card. If you have more than that, | | | | keep you in line and, hopefully, you won't stray |
| get out the scissors and start cutting them up. | | | | from the plan of eliminating your credit card debt. |
| Out of sight out of mind. If you have them in | | | | Learn to control your spending and live on less. |
| your wallet, you will use them. Let's nip the | | | | Step 5: Look into adding to your income. Check |
| problem in the bud and get rid of the temptation. | | | | out temporary jobs and put any income you |
| Step 2: Make a list of all your credit cards with | | | | receive right on your card balances. There are |
| balances due, payment due date and minimum | | | | usually temporary jobs available during holidays. |
| payment amount. Add up all the minimum balance | | | | Valentines Day and Mothers Day are good times |
| payment from each credit card and see how it | | | | to hire yourself out as a flower delivery person. |
| fits into your budget. If you have some wiggle | | | | Florists are always looking for extra help during |
| room and have a little extra money to give each | | | | theses times. If you live in a seasonal area, there |
| month, put the extra funds on the credit card | | | | are usually extra waiter jobs available or maid |
| with the highest interest rate. This way you'll be | | | | jobs in big hotels. And, of course, there are |
| paying off your most expensive credit card first | | | | always part-time jobs in retail. Be creative. Think |
| and save money by not paying the highest | | | | about what you can do and then look around |
| interest. You MUST make the minimum payment | | | | your city and see how you can apply your skills |
| on each card every month. This will continue to | | | | to earn extra money. |
| keep your credit score intact. If you don't make | | | | If you apply these simple steps to your credit |
| the minimum payment and/or skip a payment, | | | | card problem, you will reduce your credit card |
| this will show you as a dead beat and you will | | | | debt and probably eliminate some stress in your |
| incur late charges which will result in a lower credit | | | | life. A win/win situation. |
| score. | | | | |