Do you get credit card offers in the mail? Have you got several in-store credit cards in your purse or wallet? Do you purchase items on impulse?

In those instances, or even before things get that far out of hand, get back to basics and try some of these debt handling solutions:

• Create a Budget. Although you've probably heard this one a thousand times, it's still good basic advice.
• Pay Yourself First. Set aside either a percentage of your salary, or a dollar amount that you're going to put into your savings account every month.  Write that check out yourself first, and deposit it right away.  (Or have the money directly deposited into your savings account - you'll never miss it if you don't see it!)
• Raise Your Insurance Deductibles: Raise the deductibles for your homeowners, renters and auctomobile insurance policies where appropriate and you'll save money. (As much as 23% a year).
• Don’t take chances on bouncing checks; instead get covered with overdraft protection and pay about the same as what it would cost for one bounced check to cover our account for an entire year. Ask your banker about packaged account services. Many offer free savings and checking accounts with free overdraft protection and checks, free online bill paying and more.
• When you shop, check your receipts, even for groceries. Many times items ring up at incorrect prices. Sometimes store policy allows for no errors, meaning you get the items free if it wrings up wrong. So carry along a handheld calculator or pencil with small notepad to tally up your charges.
• When you pay off one debt, apply that money to another bill, to get it paid off sooner.
• Always pay more on your highest interest bills, and make paying them off sooner your biggest priority.  The money you'll save in interest charges alone will help you to pay off other debts quickly.
• Make a list.  Every time you use your credit or debit card, write it down, and include what you bought, the purpose and whether it was a planned purchase (pp) or an impulse buy (ib).  At the end of the month, take a look at your spending habits - you'll be able to control your spending much better if you know where and why you're spending money.
• Get used to spending cash.  Pay your utilities, your rent or housepayment and your regular monthly bills by check.  Pay for all other purchases with cash.  People often charge more  because paying by credit card doesn't make it seem "real".  Start paying for your purchases with cash, and you'll feel the pinch, especially as you see your money disappearing.

What To Do About Medical Debts:

• If you have medical debt, the first thing healthcare offices try to do is get you to charge the bills or refinance your home, etc. STOP. Before you take such a drastic step, check with legal counsel. There are often other steps you can take instead.
• For example, notify the billing parties and tell them you need to apply for financial aid. Many have forms to complete, and although they may be lengthy, remember they’re for free money to pay your bills. Don't be too proud to take the forms and fill them out.
• If you don't qualify for assistance, or it's not offered by certain providers, set up minimum payment arrangements for the remaining balances, even if it’s just $10 a month for 30 years. Healthcare bills are not like credit card debt and do not need to be reported to the credit bureau in the same manner.

How To Control Impulse Spending

• If you know you're not going to be able to pay for impulse buys, return any recently purchased items that you can for a refund.
• Credit cards and mail order companies generally allow you 30 days to inspect your purchase. Return any you can for refunds.
• If purchases are beyond the 30 days and for various reasons don’t hold up to their end of the “bargain;” i.e. they broke already or never worked right to begin with, get on a letter writing campaign pronto.

When You've Got Too Much Credit Card Debt:

• If you just can't control yourself, put your credit cards somewhere where you can't easily get them.  (Try putting them inside a storage container of water and freezing it, or locking them into your safety deposit box.
• Plan your purchases and set aside a little out of each paycheck.  Deposit the money into your savings account, and pay attention to how much closer it's getting you to your goals every payday. 
• As soon as you know you're in trouble, call your creditors.  Don't make them chase you down.  Tell them honestly about your current situation and what you're trying to do to resolve the problem.  Ask for them to waive the interest fees or lower your payments for a few months. 

You probably didn't get into financial trouble over night, and there's no overnight fix either.  But by following the simple rules above, and taking control of your spending, you can get out of debt and stay out!