The first step to escaping credit card debt is to destroy that little piece of plastic that got you into trouble in the first place. Forget about those tactics such as freezing it or leaving it at home because that just won't work. Believe me, I know. There will come a time when it seems that the only way you can survive is to use the card, and if you haven't destroyed it then that is what you will do.

It's easy to kid yourself that you'll pay off the balance at the end of the month, but ask yourself this: If you are going to pay it off at the end of the month, can't you just wait till the end of the month and pay cash? Once you have a growing credit card debt then the only way to become debt free is NOT to use the card.

Destroying a credit card is a very empowering thing to do. Think of it as one in the eye for those greedy companies who thrive on other people's misery, because that is exactly what credit card companies do. They don't make money out of people who pay their balance each month, they prefer the ones who pay the minimum amount – and the bigger the outstanding balance the better it is for them. Resolve today to fight back and become empowered by destroying your credit card!

But don't think that cutting up the card is the end of the story. Oh no, there are some some fun ways of enjoying the experience too. Before employing any of these methods however, it is important to first cut the card up into several pieces with a pair of scissors (make sure you cut through the card number and the signature strip).

Armed with your freshly cut up credit card you might like to consider:

Fire – Do you have an area in a back yard where you can safely burn things? There is nothing more satisfying than the ritual burning of a credit card.

Earth – Dig a hole at least 18 inches deep and bury the offending card. If you want to be really thorough, you could dig several holes and split the pieces up.

Water – If you live near a river or the sea then place the pieces of your credit card in a weighted bag, take a boat trip and at a suitable moment drop the bag over the side.

Air – Wait for a particularly windy day and then climb to the top of a steep hill. After a brief moment to remember the debt, scatter the pieces into the wind.

Whichever method you employ, I suggest you accompany the occasion with a glass of wine to celebrate your future debt free life.

You are probably by now thinking my ideas are a little crazy? Maybe so and I admit that I write this just a little tongue in cheek, but paying the credit card companies hefty interest charges each month is completely insane. Think about it…