The old adage "Out of sight...Out of mind" is especially true when it comes to running up your credit card debt. The ease and convenience with which banks, lenders and retailers have made paying with a credit card, is one reason that it is has become so easy to rack up major amounts of debt in the first place. Instead of hiding from your debts make a commitment to face it head on. Looking for an alternative to bankruptcy or debt consolidation?

Begin by making a list of all of your credit cards on a spreadsheet. Beside each credit card, type in the interest rate, minimum monthly payment required and total balance owed. Print it off and then hang it in plain sight (like on your refrigerator). Each month, make more than your required minimum payments, even if it is by a small amount. Every little bit helps. Each month, when you receive your new credit card statement, be sure to update your spreadsheet. Watching your balance decline each month is a great feeling, and a great motivator!

Make proper choices when shopping for debt consolidation loans, debt relief and other personal finance products.
Take the time to read up and inform yourself.

• Watching Interest Rates for Debt Consolidation - Keep an eye on available interest rates and consolidate higher rate credit card balances into a consolidation loan or do a balance transfer to a lower interest card.
• Do You Know the Warning Signs of Too Much Debt? - You should take control of your personal spending as soon as you see any of these warning signs that your bills are getting out of control. Avoiding to do so could lead to a bankruptcy, which is NOT a cure for your financial or credit problems.
• Focus on the long-term cost of the loan... - not just the new monthly payment. You may get lower monthly payments with you consolidate bills, but what are the long term interest costs?
• Don't Have Too Many Credit Cards! - The FDIC advises that there are good reasons to have at least two credit cards, but some people collect a stack of them; including store and gas cards, several of which they rarely use.

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