As you can see, I currently carry a balance on my CCs. I am working to pay them off and I do make more than the minimum payment to them. I also continue to use one of them. I use it as a way to puchase something I have the money for but the money may be in ING, or in the next paycheck or so. So in actuality I am only using it for a short time. I pay off the amount as soon as it shows up online so no finance charges are accrued on the ammount. Well, to speed things up with paying the card off I have now decided to pay 10% more to the card than what I charge. Example: If I charge something for $10 I will pay $11 to the card. It is not much in the grand scheme of things but every little bit helps plus it makes me think more seriously about a new purchase because it will cost me 10% more.
You may also be wondering why I still continue to use my cards. Lets face it, most of life today requires having a card and using it. If I cut them up and go cold turkey, will I ever learn to use credit wisely?? I think not.
Anyway, its just one of many small steps to use to get out of debt