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If ever there was a time for self control in one's life, it is when the urge to "take out the plastic" continues unabated and debt continues to spiral out of control.

Doing away with debt can be extremely challenging for many people. It is not enough to just pay a little more to each credit card company in the hopes of finally getting their debt load under control.

It can often mean a big change in lifestyle.

One thing is certain. It is very hard to make headway on credit card debt if card use continues. Eliminating debt could well mean a change in lifestyle and a big shift in spending habits.

Just how important is that purchase that is being considered? Is it a necessity? Or is it a luxury? Is it needed "right now?" Or is it something that can wait until it can be purchased with cash? Credit cards are just so darned convenient. That new outfit, big screen T.V., or Caribbean cruise is only a signature away. Why cook when fine dining at the best restaurants is at your fingertips?

There are several things that can be done to eliminate credit card debt load that has spun way out of control.

PHONE EVERY CREDIT CARD COMPANY:

I was amazed at just how well this works. I have phoned credit card companies and simply said, "I have several charge cards, and you have the highest interest rate of all of them. Your interest rate is 16% and the highest I am paying is 13%." I was floored when the response often went like this. "Would it suit you if we matched that interest rate and lowered ours to 13%?"

"Hmmmm. Well, let me think. Oh, okay!"

Trust me, it was that easy. Several unspoken things are happening here that should be recognized. First of all, you are the customer and you are not happy. Secondly, there is always the chance that a consumer will just give up and simply declare personal bankruptcy. It is far more logical for a company to charge a bit less interest when the alternative is to lose thousands of dollars in unpaid debts. Also, our mailboxes are being inundated with letters that proclaim, "switch your high interest rate cards to our company and pay only 3% for the next year!" They want to keep your business! Believe it or not, I did this 3 times with the same result. I just went down the line. I told the company I was paying 13% to that the highest I was paying was 10.5%. So they matched it! Make those calls and you can save hundreds of dollars in interest.

Don't bother talking interests rates with the operator who answers the phone. In most cases they can't make those

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