The more cards you have, the more the chance of incurring unnecessary expenses. If you have small debts your savings can grow and protect you when you need it. Its important to change the bad habits that create debt. These habits are developed over a lifetime, but need to be changed much more quickly.

While we have to admit that incurring the debt is our own fault, the credit card companies don't help. They have no vested interest in you eliminating your debt. They would rather you pay forever. They lure people in to buying things they don't need so that they can earn huge amounts of interest on large balances.

Credit card companies are not your friends. There are no good offers for products from credit card companies. People will argue with this, but there is a simple test to determine whether or not you can afford to make a purchase. Ask yourself, do I have the cash, yes I said CASH, to buy this right now? Thats it. If the answer is no, then you shouldn't buy it.

The goal of eliminating debt is to make sure that you can get a good rate on things that you have to borrow. If your consumer debt is too high, you will have difficulty with getting a good rate on mortgages and auto loans. If your consumer debt is really high, and you have difficulty making payments, you may need to consider other options.

The best way to stay out of debt, is to avoid it altogether. Credit cards are not some kind of free money. They can be useful, but need to be used judiciously. Only you know what the state of your will power is, but as for me, I eliminated all my debt, and eliminated all but one credit card, which I now commit to paying off at the end of each month. If your balance is paid every month, you avoid interest charges, and you avoid debt.

If your debt has gotten to high, destroy all but your lowest interest card. Work more, or spend less and begin to repay the debt beginning with the highest interest rate card. Whatever you do, don't use the card!

You must pay more than the minimum. Credit card companies rely on you paying only the minimum payment. To eliminate your debt, you must make a higher payment. If you have 5 cards, make the minimum payment on 4 of them, and concentrate on getting one paid. When that one is paid, take the amount you were spending and apply it to the next one.

Occasionally you will get offers for zero percent on balance transfers. If you get one of these, take it, and dont use the card! Zero percent interest makes debt elimination much easier.

Just think how much better you will feel after you eliminate your debt, and owe nothing to anyone.