Prime Rate Credit

American are officially overworked, overstressed and overextended in terms of debt and debt management. We are working record hours, new mothers are no longer staying at home as long, and even kids are getting jobs at younger ages, just to keep up with inflation, horrible gas prices and the ever-inflating credit card debt that all of us seem to fall into once we have lost some control over our financial straits.

But we all have within us the power to straighten out our debts, and get back into good graces with the credit report companies. This is the first part of my story on how I got out of credit card debt. It’s gonna span about four or five posts - hope you don’t mind!

The following few entries are going to be some fairly simple guidelines that I followed in my own life in order to recently become debt free. How much credit card debt did I have? I had about $10,000.00 of it and was able to pay it all off in less than one year, thanks to some of these guidelines and a little old fashioned discipline. You may find that some of these tips can help you reach your goals too, or at least be able to modify them to fit your lifestyle and credit goals.

1.) Put a strict limit on eating at restaurants - make it special occasions or emergency measure only. I overhear more people who are stressed about their personal debts talking about eating out a couple nights a week - and we’re not talking fast food either, we’re talking “eating out” at sit down places where you tip.

2.) Every time you go grocery shopping, make a list and a pre-determined budget and do not waver from it. Not only can your wallet benefit, but many times your waistline too!