Debt has many faces to it. There is debt as a result of job loss, which many are facing in the economic downturn of our nation. Debt sometimes is caused by a catastrophic illness or accident and insurance was not able to handle the load. A runaway interest on a mortgage is yet another debt that seems insurmountable. Debt can also be back taxes that is owed which can lead to IRS wage garnishment. But the worst debt bondage that a great number of people are facing today is due to unpaid balances on their credit cards.

Here is a collection of a few pointers to help erase credit card debt.

• Make a cash flow log. Track where the money goes each payday. There are a number of computer programs for doing simple household bookkeeping, like Quicken or Microsoft Money Plus. If you are not computer savvy, keeping a cash flow journal with a pad of paper and a pencil will do nicely.
• Apply any extra money that comes in to the household to the debt balance. Garage sale proceeds, a temporary part time job, money gifts, and even your tax return can help erase credit card debt.
• Establish a timeline target for zero credit card balance. This is a tough one, but will keep you at it for the long haul. One of the more interesting scenes in the old movie about Sergeant Alvin York was when he worked at extra jobs and saved towards the purchase of that prized bottom land. He would continually look to the target date when he needed to have it to spur him on to work harder to increase his savings. We can put a date on the calendar and plan and work for that goal also.
• Use the ‘Snowball System’. Put your extra money onto the debt with the least balance. That pays that credit card off first. Once that card is paid off, take the extra money that you used to pay off that debt plus the minimum payment for that freed up card and begin to apply that total amount to the next lowest credit card balance. Keep doing this until you have erased the entire credit card debt. That is the ‘Snowball System’ in a nutshell.
• Develop a positive attitude about erasing credit card debt. When you believe in yourself, even the most seemingly impossible goals can be attained.
• Cut spending. Think frugally. It is far less expensive to dine in than to dine out. One of the more rewarding areas is learning how to use leftovers in a creative way. In fact, it is quite enjoyable to see how many different ways you can decorate without spending a great deal. Be creative!!
• Cut up all your credit cards save one, and put that one in a safely guarded place where it is not easy to get at it. Don’t cancel your credit cards, just don’t make them available to use. This way you will not add to your credit card debt.

There are many other ideas, but with these pointers you may find new and creative ways to finally erase credit card debt in your household.

You also may be interested in:

1. Some Basic Solutions To Eliminating Credit Card Debt
2. Settling Credit Card Debt Is Not An Impossibility
3. How To Settle Credit Card Debt