Does this sound familiar - something unexpected pops up and you have to charge it on your credit card because you just don't have the cash on hand? Or what about charging the latest toy or gadget because you absolutely have to have it now? These are common reasons for using a credit card, but unfortunately in the end the bill always has to be repaid.

If things get too out of hand, we can be left with a large credit card debt and no easy way to pay it down. We end up paying a ton of interest, sometimes for years after the purchase was made. Fortunately there are places to turn to if you have a credit card debt problem.

The first step to take is to try and get a lower interest rate on your card. This can be done in either of two ways. The first - and probably simplest - way is to call your credit card provider's customer service number and ask for a lower rate.

You'll usually get an answer within a couple of minutes and you might be surprised at how often you'll be approved for a lower rate just by asking.

The second way is to apply for a second credit card with a lower interest rate. Once you have this card, transfer the outstanding balance from the higher rate card to the lower one. Incidentally, if you find a better rate on another card, that can be a leverage point when you ask your credit card company for a lower rate.

Credit Counseling is another option for managing your credit card debt. There are many credit counseling services that can help you work with your current creditors to get a better rate and more reasonable repayment schedule. These services deal with the credit card companies on a regular basis, so they can often succeed where you might not if you call them yourself.

The cost for credit counseling varies. In some cases, it's a free service where you won't have to pay anything. You simply provide them with all your credit card information and any other creditors you owe money to.

They'll consolidate all that information and work out the best repayment schedule to suit your needs. If you're feeling like your credit card debt is a huge weight on your shoulders, don't keep struggling to carry it alone. A credit counseling service may be able to ease that burden for you.