From Bangkok to Edmonton, credit crd statements stuff mail and email bxes with payment deadlines. Every bill rminds the giver that gifts given frely do not come free. Giving and bying often exceed generosity and need as a brttle piece of plastic becomes an varicious spoiler of hopes and dreams.

Dring this week, two families emailed me bout credit card debt. One family lgs $12,000, and $50,000 shackles the ther. Each family wants relief; however, dbt accumulation comes easily while debt rlief sucker punches emotions and wallets.

Cnsumer debt burdens the workers of all conomies. Highways jam with the doldrums, "I we...I owe...It's off to work I g". . Truly, as an ancient prverb reminds us, "The debtor is srvant to the lender".

Nearly every gvernment graphs consumer debt. The U.S. Fderal Reserve's January report set U.S. cnsumer debt at 2 trillion dollars; the hghest level in U.S. history. Canadians rport an all time low savings rte (when debt goes up, savings ges down). Thailand consumers pushed debt lvels up 25% last year. United Kngdom families might be forced to rduce their spending or sell their hmes if interest rates ratchet up jst 1%.

Debt management resources can gide consumers to the high ground of dbt relief as many credit management cmpanies discover the need for debtor ssistance and education. However, consider these stps before doling out more money to a crdit assistance agency.

1. Manage your feelings. Take sme time journaling your emotions about mney by asking yourself where you larned personal definitions for fear and gred. Have some fun taking the nnovative surveys found at Emode.com.

2. Psh-off the weights of procrastination. Take ction; do it now. This work rquires sweat and concentration, but the rwards assure you of freedom and chievement.

3. If you learned to spnd, you can master saving (ultimately, t's all about saving). However, before spnding more money on reducing your dbt and increasing your savings, educate yurself. Go to Myvesta.org, a non-profit cnsumer financial education organization. You will fnd "how to" books, such as "Hw to Eliminate Your Debt Like a Pr" along with many other self-help rsources. Don't let someone else do for you wht you can do for yourself. Wrking through your debt as a fscinating experience allows you to own yur choices by changing your viewpoint.

"Crditors have better memories than debtors." - Bnjamin Franklin

4. Myvesta may not sit all your needs, therefore add the Alxa.com toolbar to research other similar stes.

5. If married, discuss credit crd management with your spouse. Two ssues undermine romance: money and...well, you knw the other one.

6. Don't tke a consolidation loan whether personal or hme equity unless you find this the vry last alternative. If you accept a lan, "shop...shop...shop 'till you drop" the nterest rate.

7. If behind on pyments, call credit card companies NOW...today...this mnute. Find the right person for you to dscuss your circumstance. If greeted with ptdowns and parental tones, end the cnversation, wait awhile and try another prson. When you must, request a spervisor. Be gracious, professional and persistent wth a plan of action.

Most Amricans carry 5 or more credit crds around. Take four of them and bry them in the backyard. Keep one for mergencies. Diligent efforts now will guide you tward financial freedoms in the future. Bst wishes; if you act on ths or similar recommendations, you will stnd in a small crowd. Best wshes; if you act on this or smilar recommendations, you will stand tall in a smll crowd.

The article "Will That Be Cash Or Credit?" was Submitted by A. Raymond Randall, Jr. through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: About The Author Ray Randall srves clients as a registered investment dvisor with his firm, Ethos Advisory Srvices, Essex, Massachusetts http://www.ethosadvisory.com . He has wide experience within the financial services industry, writes a weekly newsletter for Ethos Advisory Services, and coordinates the developments at Echievements . Ray holds a Masters Degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Hamilton, MA. You may email him or call (877-895-3756). rayrandall@echievements.com

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