Credit cards give you permission from the companies that issue them to buy things you do not need now...at prices you can’t afford now...with money you don’t have now!

To defend yourself if your credit card debts are excessive: Pay all your cards off as soon as you can. Then start using the credit card companies’ money free, each month. Buy only things you could purchase with cash and pay each bill in full when you receive it.

The following are signs that you have been playing the credit card companies’ game at stakes you cannot afford:

• You do not know your debt and are afraid to add it up.

• You hide the bills from your spouse until a "good time."

• You pay the minimum or less on charge cards each month.

• You juggle other bills to make minimum monthly payments.

• You have reached the credit limits on your charge cards.

• You borrow for items you once bought with cash.

• The portion of your income used to pay debts is rising.

• Increasing debt based on expected income increases.

• You do not contribute to savings or have no savings.

• You are usually late paying some or all of your bills.

• Monthly credit balance is regularly higher than the last.

• You borrow money to pay for usual household expenses.

• You borrowed money from new sources to pay an older debt.

• You applied for more credit cards to increase borrowing.

• You have significantly increased credit cards in past year.

• You have drawn from savings just to pay regular bills.

• You do not have emergency funds to cover 3-6 months.

• Your emergency fund is less than your short-term debt.

• Creditors are sending overdue notices.

• You pay bills with money marked for other goals.

• More than 18% of after-tax income goes for consumer debt.

• You postdate checks so they will not bounce.

• You hurry to the bank on payday to cover checks written.

• You use cash advances from one card to pay on others.

• Life without credit cards is unthinkable.

• You know life without any kind of credit is unspeakable.