Just keep doing what you are doing! You will want to have some revolving credit open though because it will only help. Do not seek debt management help…it will hurt you unless you are really buried. I saw some good articles on:

www.badcreditstop.com

They have some article on that site I remember reading about debt and stuff. Unless you're absolutely desperate, don't bother doing a consolidation. If you can afford it, pay as much OVER the monthly payment as you can. This will help lower finance charges and the overall balance quicker. Call the credit card company to see if they could lower interest rates if your account is in good standing.

Can I ask how much credit card debt you're currently in? Also, most consolidation places will not let you use your cards, or they will have the credit card companies put a freeze on your cards.The only thing Debt Consolidation does is call the companies and ask them to work with them. They don’t pay off all the credit cards like it sounds. They make payments to each one just as you’re doing, but they’re charging you extra money for a longer time, so they will make money off of you, too. Every business is about making money. Right?

You can call the credit card companies you’re no longer charging to explain the mess you’re in to “The Supervisor” not just anyone who may answer the phone. Ask them will they work with you.

First, ask for them to give you a pay off figure on your debt. Sometimes in order to get their money they will do this. BUT if you can’t borrow pay off money….this won’t work for you.

Second, when you explain your situation and tell them you really want tto pay them off. Tell them what you want. You want them to lower your monthly payment to an amount you can pay at this time.

The above works only on a budget. Write down everything you owe being the minus from your income $X amount. It’s a simple mathematical answer. Keep working on it, until you can come up with the amount you can send to the credit card companies. Budget your groceries, gas, clothes and house hold things. These are the only things anyone can cut back on to save money. You’ll be surprised to find how much you can save to eat meals at home even if they’re “frozen dinners”. Gas for example can be saved by only going to work and home. Clothes are something we all have too many of and household needs aren’t based on NEEDS only.

The best advice to get out of debt is STAY OUT OF STORES. This can become a habit to go, go and go. When we go we spend money. Right? If you have cable TV or Dish, learn to enjoy being at home and take advantage of what you pay for. Reading is something you can do for FREE. The Library is loaded with books. Obviously you have a computer, it can and will fill your time without costing you a dime. Take advantage of what you pay a month for DSL. That is if you aren’t using credit cards for on line shopping.

As for keeping the one credit card. Only IF you can promise yourself…it’s for an emergency. It’s not for FUN, FAST FOOD, or to SHOW OFF to your friends. You can’t afford to take your friends out right now…..but you know what? If you learn to budget and pay off your debts, you will be so proud of yourself one day when you start a savings account instead of buying something you don’t need.

Let me encourage you to go to Yahoo Health. Look up why people are impulsive (shoppers). This will help you think twice before you shop. If you have a house full of furniture, house and car on these credit cards…then you can say “I have something to show for this debt that will last me for awhile”. If you don’t have tangible objects to show proof of the debt, then you truly need to explore WHY you’re impulsive and buy what you do not need.

Hope I wasn’t too hard. I really hope you understand what I’m saying and it will help you.

Good luck with blessings<><:)
Good for you for keeping at it.... if you are really serious about ending the cycle..... a couple of ideas.....call the credit cards and see if you can get even a temporary reduction in the interest rate while you hammer down the principal.....it used to work years ago, but not so sure anymore..

If you are really serious.....KISS Christmas goodbye.....don't even think about present shopping....

A good motivator might be listing your cards/balances in order from SMALLEST BALANCE to largest......focus ALL extra money on the little balance and pay it off first....maybe that will keep you energized to tackle the next balance on the list...

I know everybody says....pay off high interest rates first....but we are only human and need to have some sense of accomplishment.

Cut the cable package/lower your cell phone/ work at McDonalds on weekends.....

Debt consolidation is bad....like payday loans...just cuz they are legal, doesn't mean it's ever a good idea....

good luck.The only way to pay the credit card debt off faster is to put more money on the debt. A written budget will help you do that. A second job helps too.

Don't pay any debt consolidation company to handle your debt. They will trash your credit. What they will do is not pay your creditors for months and then try and settle for less. Your creditors do not have to work with a third party. It's your debt. If the company you hire doesn't pay you debt. You still owe the debt. Your creditors will sue you and not the company you hired.

You also need to cancel you credit cards. You don't want to end up in this mess again. Credit cards along with the fico score was designed to get and keep you in debt.

If you are responsible with your money and live on less than you make. You will not have any payments. You will have money and you will not have to worship the great fico.

Debt free is the way to be.

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