The obvious first step to paying off credit card debt or paying down credit debt load is to cut back or eliminate use of your credit cards. For some people this first step can often be most difficult. If you’re used to spending freely with plastic and worrying about consequences later, it’s difficult to break free from this “buy now, pay later” attitude.

To gain control of their careless credit card spending habits, some people cut up their credit cards therefore making it impossible to use them. Others lock up their credit cards or hide them in a safe place and vow to use them only in an emergency.

The second step to paying down credit debt is to pay more than minimum balance due. Most credit card companies require a minimum monthly payment of 2.5% of outstanding balance. For example, if you have an outstanding balance of $1100.00 on a credit card charging an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 18.9% your minimum monthly payment would be $27.50. It will take you 66 months or 5.5 years to pay off your balance of $1100.00 making minimum payments. The credit card company will make $676.94 in interest from your use of their credit card.

Gone are days where consumer waits with baited breath as to whether or not corner mortgage broker can find financing for home they want to buy. Say hello to today's new mortgage seeker; one who has lenders competing for their business, makes educated lending choices and is making upfront mortgage brokers more popular than ever.