If you’re like most Americans, you have too much month at the end of your money.  In fact, the average American carries more than $8,000 in credit card debt.

Ian’s Messy Desk has a few suggestions for Eliminating Credit Card Debt that I just couldn’t avoid passing on to my readers:

So, without further ado, here are the five steps for eliminating credit card debt.  They are not easy, but they ARE important.

1. Make yourself a budget. This is the most important - You’re not going to be able to eliminate your credit card debt until you know how much money you have available to pay down your credit card bills every month.   Learn to create a budget.
2. After you know how much you can spend every month paying down your credit cards, figure out which credit card has the highest interest rate.  You’re knocking out the biggest costs first.  Eventually, you’ll hit the tipping point, and it will all be smooth ride after that.
3. Pay the mininum amount on EVERY OTHER bill.  Repeat #2 and #3 until you’re done paying off your biggest pain in the tuchus.
4. Once you’re done with your biggest credit card interest rate.  Start back at one to find the next higest credit card interest rate and to determine how much you can afford to pay on it.
5. Repeat the whole process again and again until every one of your credit cards is paid off.

After your credit card debt is gone, use the money you were previously paying for debt and start investing in yourself.  Increase your ability to earn by taking some classes or get certified in a higher paying career, like as a business analyst or project manager.