How I did it: I completely stopped using my credit cards for starters. I am not completely sure how it got so out of control. I know I had to put tons of car repair on my credit cards, lots of dental work, and then it started with everything else, Christmas presents, parties we threw at my apartment, etc.

I paid at least double on all my cards for a long time, but they still had high interest rates. I had two cards that both had high balances and even higher interest rates. Both offered transfers at minimal rates. I took one card and transferred all of it onto the other card almost maxing the card out. I then, a week or so later, went and did the same exact thing with the entire balance on the other card so that both my credit cards had a balance lifetime interest rate of about 3% vs. the 29% I was paying.

I finally got it all paid off in August and I've never felt freer. Never again will I become a slave to my credit cards.

Lessons & tips: Most of my tips are stated above. Just cut up your credit card. Don't let that even be an option. Always have one for backup, but don't use it. Hide it even.

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Oct 03, 2008, 06:37AM PDT | 2 comments | 2 cheers