Are you thinking about getting your first credit card? Before you accept a credit card application, consider this:

Many Americans find themselves in so much debt, it's hard for them to keep up. When the card bills begin to stack up, it can lead to many financial difficulties. If you ask anybody with credit card debt what they are going through, they will probably tell you what a total nightmare they are in.

Why not just avoid credit card debt altogether?

This might seem like an impossible thought at first. But if you talk to anybody that has gotten into credit card debt, they will tell you what a horrible nightmare they are in. Thats because it can take forever to pay off a maxed out card. Not only that, but after the interest and fees,you can literally spend thousands dollars to fix the mess. You might want the convenience that a credit card can bring you, but it's not worth lying awake at night wondering how you're going to make the next payment.

Don't get me wrong, a credit card can be great in emergency situations. But now-a-days, people are using credit cards as a free ticket to a mega shopping spree.

If you decide to get a credit card, you just have to remember to keep the spending under control. Using a credit card is very easy. In fact, it is hard to conduct business transactions any other way. For example, you can use credit cards to pay for gas and food.

While all of these great uses for credit are beneficial, it can cause you to wind up with a big credit card bill at the end of the month. If you don't pay your balance off, it can send you down a spiral of uncontrollable debt.

Just remember that there are some precautions you should follow in using credit cards safely and building a good credit score. First, remember that what when you charge something, you are taking out a loan. Even if you just charge five dollars to buy a burger, you took out an unsecured loan to finance your lunch. That doesn't make a lot of sense, does it?

Once you start using credit cards, remember that it is not free money. You will be paying back everything you run up on it plus interest. Save every receipt each month and keep a log of what you have spent with your credit card.

What is the best way to keep your credit card problems under control? Pay off your credit card each month. It's as simple as that. By staying on top of your credit, you will start out with the kind of habits that will lead to a life of good credit use without uncontrollable debt. And that is a great gift to give yourself early in life.

Now that you're determined to avoid credit card debt, it's time to learn how to control your spending. Living on a Dime will teach you money saving about frugal living and budgeting.