Eliminating Credit Card Debt

Now that Holiday season is approaching, you might want to get a head start on eliminating credit card debt. In fact, your neighbor has probably made a point of shopping all year so that she can take advantage of sales and spread out the purchasing madness. Your other neighbor is waiting until the last minute, so you just know he'll end up spending more than necessary on fuel alone just to get to the crowded shops to buy high priced spur of the moment gifts.

These neighbors will also wait until New Years Eve to resolve to work extra hard – even find a credit counselor – to help them eliminate the previous year's credit card charges. This is the one time when it's better not to be like your neighbors, “the Jones”. Here are some simple strategies to make them want to be like you after they see how carefree you are about having little or no credit card debt by mid-January of the next year.

Strategy #1 Call each credit card lender and try to negotiate a lower interest rate. If they refuse tell them that you've recently gotten an offer from another lender who will give you a lower interest rate if you transfer the entire balance from your credit card

Strategy #2 If your credit card lenders refuse to negotiate lower interest rates with you, ask if they will consider waiving the annual fee. This will only work if your credit card requires an annual fee, of course

Strategy #3 Once you're done attempting to negotiate with all your creditors, re-evaluate your situation. It is now time to transfer the high interest balances that could not be negotiated lower to your debt consolidating lender or credit card. Be sure to close those old empty accounts to eliminate the temptation to pile on more debt

Strategy #4 Commit to avoid all credit card charges until you've paid down your current balances. This can be tough if you're struggling with the guilty conscience that the Holiday can give you. Keep motivated by telling yourself that eliminating credit card debt will be your gift to yourself and your family this holiday season.

Strategy #5 Get creative and make more cash. Have a garage sale or auction your things off on eBay.

There you have it – at least six step-by-step styled strategies you can do to eliminate credit card debt. Remember to keep good records of people you talk to as you make contact with lending representatives. List the outcome of every contact. And if you're just a bit clueless how to go about doing this check out what I'm doing to change my lifestyle, fix my credit report, and raise my credit score.

Make a commitment to pay off all your bills and experience peace of mind. Then make a commitment to live within your means no matter how tempting it is to have the latest gadget or shiny thing. Yes, it really is a change of lifestyle. It's not easy for some, and impossible for most. The bottom line is a firm commitment to live and be debt free.