You know the feeling - You see that perfect thing you just have to have. Or you see the greatest sale in history at your favorite store! You think to yourself "Nope I don't have the money". But wait - I have my trusty old friend - my credit card. You pull it out of its snuggly safe place in your wallet. Wake it up and hand it to the cashier. You think "It won't ask me to pay for it for at least a month." It won't tell me "No you shouldn't buy that" - it will just do its thing and come through for me. Then I get what I want now. I don't have to wait! YAY!

Then a month later that trusty credit card's big brother (the credit card company) sends you a statement in the mail. Ugg - your credit card has been busy. It came through for you maybe one to many times. You think "Wow how did the bill get that high? Oh Well I will pay the minimum balance and worry next time." Then your friends ask you to join them on a vacation this winter. You think "Do I have the money?" I don't' know - but that doesn't matter - I can take out that trusty credit card and worry about it later! So you book the holiday. Then the next statement comes in - Is it that time already? That credit card has been busy again. The bill is even higher. You think - "but I only paid for the deposit on the vacation." But you didn't pay for last months purchases so the big brother added more to it. Interest! OK now you hate the credit card company. How could the bill have gotten so high? Compound interest - huh? You think "oh well - I will pay the minimum and worry about it next month".

This continues on for a few months and before you know it - you are at your favorite restaurant with your best friends and you bring out your trusty credit card to pay for dinner. The waiter returns and in what seems like slow motion he says "I'm sorry your card has been declined - So you have another way to pay?" You are humiliated and blame the credit card company! All of a sudden that trusty little credit card hasn't come through! You are maxed out! Now you hate your credit card!

You get that next statement and "Yikes" - they were right. You hit the max. Between your purchases and interest you are there. Again you hate the credit card company!

Does this sound like you? Have you had similar scenarios play out in your life? Are you tired of the roller coaster? It's time to get off!

5 Ways to get your Credit Cards Under Control.

1. Cut up or Hide your Cards

Stop using them immediately! - I know, you love that card, it is tucked away nice and neatly in your wallet. However the only way to get your credit card bills under control is to STOP using them altogether. In fact cut them up, or get a family member to hide them for you. Whatever you do don't use them!

2. Calculate your Debt.

You can't pay it off without knowing exactly how much you have to pay off. Gather all of your latest statements together and add it up.

3. Prioritize your Debts

Decide which ones you will pay off first. Pay the minimums on each card every month and the rest goes to the top priority. Usually look for the ones that have the highest interest rates.

4. Determine How Much Can You Pay off Each Month

Determine how much of your monthly income you can put towards debt repayment. Look at your income and expenses. Create a spending plan or budget and stick to it!

5. Create Your Plan and Follow Your Plan

Calculate how long it will take to pay down your debt. Build in rewards and success celebrations. The most important thing to remember is that you can do it. Thousands of people do it every year. They do it with a plan and a goal in mind. Once you have a plan it is an easy process. So avoid that humiliation or hearing those words "Sorry but your card has been declined" and take control of your credit cards!