Credit cards should always be used wisely. You don't ever want credit card debt because the more debt you have the harder it is to get out on top. However, it's even harder to watch credit card spending during times of economic hardship like the current credit crunch we are facing. Below are three tips on how to avoid increasing your credit card debt during the current credit crisis:

1. If anything, you should be aggressively paying down your credit card balances. Things are getting worse and interest rates are going up so if you can, pay them off.


2. Be wary of using credit cards to purchase frivolous things. Ask yourself, do you really need the item? Is it a necessity? Forgo purchases unless you have the money to pay them off once the bill arrives. Not being able to pay off these items will cost you much more in the long run because you will be paying the interest cost .


3. If you have to purchase daily necessities using your credit card such as food and gas, pay those items off as soon as you can. Lenders these days are reducing credit limits while increasing interest rates so if you're not paying off the bill then those items are costing you double or even triple the price if you were to pay in cash.

The main thing to keep in mind is that you should be spending wisely and saving aggressively so you can pay down any credit card debt you may have. It's not worth ruining your credit.