Summary

Original source:
http://www.wjactv.com/news/4167669/detail.html

Details

• Due to the higher cost of cars, health care, and mortgages many people are using credit cards to cover their basic needs.
• 1.7 trillion dollars in total consumer credit.
• Unfortunately there's no quick fix to getting out of debt, but through discipline and a lifestyle change you can get your debt problem under control.
• Dan and Stephanie Acuna of Johnstown are a lot like most married couples.
• They both have jobs, both enjoy spending time with family and friends, and they owe thousands of dollars on their credit card.
• "If I wanted to go do something, and I didn't have the money I'd just use the credit card.
• "They don't come with an instruction manual," remarks certified credit counselor Sandy McGeary.
• As the branch manager of the Consumer Credit Counseling office in Altoona her staff counseled 8-thousand people in 2004 with an average credit card debt of 17-thousand dollars.
• "It's your lifestyle and the lack of a budget and knowing what you can spend and how much you can spend."
• McGeary and other financial experts offer three steps to reducing your credit card balance to zero.
• Look at trimming expenses for recreation, vacation, clothing and eating out.
• Second, use that money saved to pay more than the minimum balance.
• And third, pay any new purchases within 30 days.
• "They need to be honest and say our focus right now is not our wants, it's getting out of the debt because that's the only way we're going be able to move ahead."
• Dan and Stephanie are taking simple steps to leave more money at the end of the month for their credit card payment.
• Dan says, "We pay more than the minimum charge because if you pay the minimum charge on the credit card, you're never going get ahead.

Related Articles

Popular Topics: Credit card, Mortgages, Credit card debt, Diabetes, Breast cancer, Prostate cancer, Heart disease, Depression, High cholesterol, Osteoporosis, Vaccines, Autism, ADHD, Infertility, Weight loss, Cancer, Alzheimer's, Trans fats, Acrylamides, Fluoride, Mercury	Take Action: Support NaturalNews.com Email this article to a friend Share this article on: NewsVine | digg | del.icio.us Permalink to this article: http://www.NaturalNews.com/009068.html Reprinting this article: Non-commercial OK, cite NaturalNews.com with clickable link. <a href = "http://www.NaturalNews.com/009068.html">Many families find themselves deep in debt due to their credit cards</a>
Receive our Natural Health Newsletter for FREE Subscribe now (it's free!) to win. We randomly choose a subscriber each month to send $100 in eco-home products or a RealGoods.com gift certificate (our choice). Plus, you'll receive FREE news, articles and action alerts from NaturalNews.com editors and join over 800,000 monthly readers who report extraordinary health improvements after becoming a subscriber! Receive breaking news alerts on natural health solutions, renewable energy, the environment, global warming and more. Receive a free instant download of our $29 Secret Sources guide that reveals top sources for little-known health and diet solutions.	Your Email Address: Free Subscription Code: Enter the numbers you see: 100% free of charge. Unsubscribe anytime. Absolutely no spam. We respect your email privacy.
Recommended Special Report: Seven Words that can Change the World by Joseph R. Simonetta Read this special report now... "Seven Words That Can Change the World reveals the astonishing, simple truths that have the power to forever transform our world for the better while freeing our minds from the enslavement of limiting beliefs. This is not a text for the simple-minded; it is a guiding philosophy for the mindful, intelligent few who are wise enough to seek out -- and recognize -- the higher simplicities of truly purposeful living." - Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, editor of NaturalNews.com	More on NaturalNews.com: • Streaming Health Ranger Videos • CounterThink Cartoons • FREE Special Reports • Podcasts