We are living in some very difficult times.
Many homes are not worth what we paid for them, people are struggling to keep their heads above water due to unemployment and pay reductions and credit is not available the way it used to be.
We have to be more in control of our finances than ever before.
It is up to us to build an emergency fund and keep our credit card debt under control.
If you have not made the decision to get your credit card balances paid off, now is the time.
If you have less than $5,000 in debt, you should be able to pay this debt off on your own.
Look at your budget and see where you can cut back.
See where you can bring in extra money.
If you can come up with even a $200-$300 a month to pay towards your credit cards, you are on your way.
But many people have more than $5,000 in debt and often need help to get started with a debt relief program.
A credit counseling agency is a great place to get started.
These organizations are nonprofit and in the business of helping people get out of debt.
They are not going to make a recommendation that does not have your best interests in mind, just because they will make more money.
And if their program does not fit your needs, they do work with other service agencies that can help you.
You can be debt free in about five years with credit counseling, you will only have to make one payment each month and your credit is not going to be trashed when the whole process is over.
Credit counseling agencies have a lot of informational material and this is great resource for staying debt free and getting information on growing financially once your debts have been repaid.