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Credit card debt and other debts that are not secured such as personal loans, have turned into a big problem for the majority of families in the United States. Debtors have become to accustomed to just utilizing their plastic card to get whatever they want, whenever they want it, without sincerely having the income to pay for it. Below I am going to list the top three reasons that Americans end up becoming so stuck with credit card debt.

1. Impulse Buying and Poor Spending Habits!

Buying impulsively shows lack of willpower. People will basically come across something in a store and ring it on their credit card, all due to that they cannot show some patience in getting, whatever item it is they bought, with no regard as to whether they have the income for it then or not. Credit cards feed the fire of buying on impulse that is what the cards are there for to gratify our need for instant gratification. You know the old adage "patience is a virtue" if some individuals adopted that belief they would not be in so much debt.

Undisciplined spending behaviors run along the same line as buying on impulse. Some individuals just indulge way to much in life. For example, someone might end up at a four star restaurant, and instead of buying a hamburger and fries, they get the filet mignons, the appetizer or two, the happy hour special, and the ice cream special. Par for the course they charge it on their credit cards. Don't take me out of context every once in a while splurging isn't bad, but for some individuals it's an everyday way of life. And these uncontrolled spending behaviors can stack up to a mountain range of debt in a rather fast time period.

My Advice: Upon the next time you find yourself at a store any type of store, and you are intending to make a charge with your plastic. Think twice about the items you are going to charge and think to one's self "Do I really need these things?". If you see yourself charging merchandise that is more of a want then a true need then simply put it back on the rack, and commit to yourself when you have "real money" not a plastic card, to return and buy that merchandise for yourself without using your card. The key point here is to establish the difference between wants and needs, your food is a need, your shampoo is a need, the brand new James Bond flick is a want, the brand new pair of sandals are a want. A tune up for your automobile is a need, a turbocharger for your automobile is a want.

2. Obtaining Too Many Credit Cards!

This is the next large problem to individuals getting into debt problems. People basically just can't refuse the credit card offers they receive. People get solicited in the mail saying your already approved and your credit limit is five thousand. For a lot of people this is too much to take on and they will wholeheartedly accept every offer and almost instantly put them to use.

My advice:Ignore these offers, they are only going to hurt you! These offers are not necessary. Think of each one of these card solicitations you get in the mail as a little financial time bomb waiting to explode. The only way to turn them off is by placing them right into the trash bin. Learn to turn down the new credit applications you do not need them, this cannot be stressed enough.

3. Cash Advances!

This is a seriously tremendous factor in people racking up debt. It's to easy to go to the ATM and take out cash against your card. However this becomes addictive to individuals and becomes a huge reason why they accumulate such large debt amounts.

My Advice: Do not use cash advances. This in reality is almost the same as just paying on your card, you are still going to be paying interest and pile up a skyscraper of debt.