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The phrase “lower my debt” pretty much sums up what most people are discussing in the office, homes, and even coffee shops. In the United States of America, most people have become slaves to debt. Worse, these debts are often owed to large companies who do not really care about the consumers as long as they make a profit. Credit cards are almost indispensable, but with proper management they can be used to maximum effect and with minimum cost. It takes a few things on the everyday, personal level though, so let us try a first-person view on the daily tits and tats to beating credit card debt.

If I want to lower my debt, then I need to stop using my credit card as much as possible. This may mean that I will have to carry cash on me all the time, but that is still better than having to pay large amounts for interest every month. Thinking about it, buying groceries with my credit card means having to pay more than what I actually need to. I have the cash to pay for it, so why should I bother myself with interest by using credit cards?

I have two credit cards, but one of them has a lower interest rate. It would be a good idea to move the balance on the more expensive credit card to the less costly one. Of course, I should keep from spending either one until I get the balance paid off.

The next step to lower my debt would be to take note of my expenses. I should keep my receipts and note down everything I spend on. At the end of each month, I will take a look at everything and see where I can save a bit of money. I maybe spending too much on ice cream of maybe I need to eat out less. I think I can also cut down on smokes and alcohol; they’re bad for my health anyway.

It says here that my monthly minimum balance to pay is about X dollars. I will not fall into their trap and end up paying them for years to come plus end up paying several times the original price of the items I bought. I want to lower my debt, so I will pay off much more than the minimum balance. It may mean skipping a few treats and coffees, but I would rather choose that over the alternative. If I pay more, then the interest is paid off, and a little bit off the principal is paid too. Over time, I can whittle my debt down until finally getting rid of credit card debt.

Lastly, to lower my debt, I must be a smart consumer. I need to learn to pick cheaper alternatives for the many products I consume, without sacrificing too much quality. Maybe when I have paid off all my credit card debts, I can go for the better brands, but for now I need to focus on wiping the slate clean. If I work hard on these steps, I doubt I will need any credit card debt assistance at all.