So maybe you had a lot of credit card debt that horribly affected your life but you were able to pay it off and now you want to make sure you never get that debt again.  Or, you might have seen other people in this situation and you want to avoid it at all costs.  Here are some tips to help you avoid credit card.

Avoid Credit Cards

The best way to avoid credit card debt, no matter what, is to avoid credit cards.  If you don’t have a credit card, you can’t get credit card debt.  It’s just that simple.

The problem is that so many people think they need a credit card.  It makes paying easier, it builds credit, etc.  There are other ways to build credit and you can use a bank or debit card just like a credit card.

If you already had credit card debt and paid it off, you should avoid credit cards because you already had trouble with them.  Unless you can be seriously disciplined to use them right, avoid them altogether.

Simplify your Spending

If you really want a credit card to build credit or get rewards, you need to learn how to use them effectively.  A great way is to simplify your spending.  Decide that you will only use your credit card for certain purchases.

For example, maybe you only use your credit card to buy gas.  That way, you are using it to build credit, but you are only buying what you can afford to pay off each month.

Pay Off your Balance Each Month

In order to avoid debt, you have to pay off your balance every month.  If you always pay off your balance, you won’t have to pay any interest.  If you can’t afford to pay off your balance, you can afford what you are using your credit card for.

Only use One Card

Having a ton of cards can be a recipe for disaster.  If you can, only use one credit card.  This will help you to keep everything organized.  Also, you are less likely to get carried away spending money.