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Credit card bills are probably the number one cause of financial problems and bankruptcy in the United States, but it does not have to be that way. It is possible to use credit cards wisely, and to use them as free loans instead of letting them become a source of financial distress.

The best way to do that, of course, is to pay the credit card bill off consistently each and every month. The key to doing that is to never charge a purchase you could not afford to make in cash. Those who consistently follow this strategy find themselves in control of their financial future, while those who do not find themselves at the mercy of the credit card companies and banks.

Of course, if you are like most people, you already have some credit card bills lurking in the mailbox each month, and it can be very difficult indeed to get on top of those bills and help get rid of them. When dealing with high levels of credit card debt, the first step, of course, is to stop spending. As they say, the first thing to do when you find yourself in a hole is to stop digging. This means cutting up the cards, or at least storing them outside your wallet. Stop charging additional purchases to the card, and work instead on paying off the current balance.

Paying the current balance should be the goal of every consumer, and all efforts should be focused on getting that balance down to zero as quickly as possible. The interest rate, of course, is one of the most important considerations, since a high interest rate can quickly bring that balance right back up as it is paid down.

It is often possible to negotiate directly with the credit card company for a lower rate, so do not forget to try this strategy first. If that effort should fail, of course, there are plenty of low interest, and even 0% introductory interest rate offers, out there. Chances are at least one of these has landed in your mailbox, so the next time one shows up be sure to take the bank up on the offer and use the money you save to pay down the balance.

After the credit card balances are down to zero, of course, you will have a greater level of control over your finances, and you will be in a better position going forward. The key, of course is to remain debt free for the long term, and that will take a combination of fiscal discipline and good budgeting.

Brooke Sikula is a freelance writer based in Ventura, CA and writes on a wide range of topics from home improvement to credit repair and everything in between. She is a regular contributor to http://www.loan-mortgage-auto.com and http://www.get-home-improvement.com

For more information and advice on credit issues, check out http://www.credit-card-faq.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brooke_Sikula

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Yes, low APR credit cards are on the rise. Many credit cards are competing for your business to give you the best and lowest rates available today. There are so many credit cards from you to choose from that they are doing all kinds of things to get your attention including lowering their interest rate and giving you no annual fees.

Why is this happening? Because there are so many credit card companies. They all want your business and this is an attractive incentive to get you to apply and own one of their credit cards. If you choose a low APR credit card over one with 19.99 percent you are sure to go with the lower APR.

The only problem is that sometime these 0% and low APR credit cards are only promotional ways to get you to apply and then later your interest rate will rise. Many credit card companies have low APR credit cards for a certain amount of time such as 3 months, 6 months and some up to one year. You will have to compare to find out which one keeps the lower APR after the promotional period to ensure you are getting the best deal around.

No matter what the reason low APR credit cards are here to stay as long as the companies are competing for your business. Just remember to compare everything they offer besides the lower interest rate. You may find that several credit card companies are now offering other wonderful incentives for you to apply with them such as reward programs.

No matter which company you choose, you will enjoy the low APR credit cards even if it is only for a limited time. You will be able to save money on your purchases because you will not have to pay any interest until the promotional period is over. Just be sure your balance is very low when the interest rate kicks in and you will be fine.