| The holiday season brings cheer, good tidings, and | | | | toward gaining financial freedom. |
| warm family memories. Unfortunately, for many | | | | Now that you know where you stand, create a |
| Americans, the post-holiday season brings more | | | | budget, and stick to it. A written budget will help you |
| credit card debt, and the stress and depression that | | | | analyze your finances; focus on reallocating your |
| accompany it. According to the National Retailers | | | | spending to put more towards paying off your credit |
| Federation, holiday spending increased by fifty-one | | | | card debt. When creating your budget, make sure |
| percent in the ten years from 1997 to 2006. The | | | | that you have a copy of all your bills and credit card |
| Federal Reserve reported in June of 2007 that | | | | statements in front of you. You should have your |
| Americans' revolving debt, which includes credit card | | | | paycheck stubs or income statements in hand, as |
| debt, reached a stomach-knotting 904 billion dollars. If | | | | well. This will help you be aggressive, but realistic, |
| you are someone with more than your fair share of | | | | while setting your monthly financial goals. |
| that revolving debt, do not despair. Create a plan to | | | | If you work hard and pay off cards before the next |
| get back on track, set good goals, and free yourself | | | | holiday season, that's great! If you then go right back |
| from that post-holiday financial stranglehold. The | | | | into debt because of the holiday season, that's |
| following paragraphs may help get you started. | | | | maddening. There is, of course, a way to avoid that |
| First and foremost, you must take stock of your | | | | frustration. Decide on a reasonable amount you will |
| financial situation, from top to bottom. It is | | | | spend during the holidays. Divide that number by the |
| astonishing how many people do not know the | | | | twelve months in a year. The result is the amount of |
| details of their credit card debt. How big is it? What is | | | | money you should earmark each month for your |
| the Annual Percentage Rate on each of your cards? | | | | Holiday Fund. Consider opening a bank account just |
| Is that Annual Percentage Rate fixed or variable? | | | | for your new Holiday Fund. When the time comes, |
| These are things you must know if you want your | | | | you will already have your spending money. |
| situation to improve. If you don't know where you | | | | The main point of this article is that if you have a |
| are, you sure as heck don't know where you're | | | | plan - and stick to it - you can defeat your credit |
| going. | | | | card debt. Understanding the details of your credit |
| Be sure to look over your other areas of spending, | | | | card statements, creating a budget, and starting a |
| as well as your income. Where can you make cuts? | | | | Holiday Fund are all little things that will help you make |
| Is there a way for you to make more money? | | | | your next holiday season the best one yet! |
| Remember that getting out of debt is a huge step | | | | |