You should always strive to use credit cards wisely. You don't ever want credit card debt because the more you have the harder it is to get back on top. However, it's even harder to watch credit card spending during times of economic hardship like the current credit crunch. Below are a few tips on how to avoid increasing your credit card debt during the current credit crisis:

1. Do your best to start aggressively paying down your credit card debt. Things are getting worse and interest rates are going up so if you can, pay them off.

2. Think twice before using credit cards to purchase frivolous things. Ask yourself, do you really need the item? Is it a necessity? Forgo those purchases unless you have the money to pay them off as soon as the bill arrives. Not being able to pay off these items will cost you much more in the long run because of the high interest cost added to your purchase.

3. If you have to put daily necessities on your credit card such as groceries and gas, pay those items off as soon as you can. Lenders these days are reducing credit limits while increasing interest rates so if you're not paying off the bill then those items are costing you double or even triple the price if you were to pay in cash.

The main thing to keep in mind is that, even more then usual, you should be spending wisely and saving aggressively so you can pay down any credit card debt you may have. The ease of using credit cards is not worth ruining your credit or having to pay even more for your purchases.