Just Say No to Credit Cards

America is currently in the worst economic position in over a decade. Many of us know someone who has been laid off from their job or had their hours cut back. Some who have been out of work have been searching for months with no luck. Many have been forced to take a job for much less pay than what they had been used to. This makes it very tempting, and for some, maybe even necessary to use a credit card. Here are some tips to help you avoid having to pull out the plastic.

1. Sell Something - The internet is your best friend when it comes to selling. Sites like Ebay and Craigslist are simple to use and provide a huge customer base for you to sell to. If you are interested read this article on how to sell your stuff on Ebay.

You should also set up an account with Paypal to make the process a lot easier. I will give some tips on what you should sell in Wednesday's article.

2. Make Money Online - The internet also provides many opportunities to make extra money. If you can write reviews, how to articles, or even take surveys you might find yourself with some extra cash in your pocket. It may take some time to make even a little bit of money but every bit helps right now. I will go over some of the ways I've found to make money online in Friday's article.

3. Cut Your Spending - This seems so obvious, but you would be surprised at how many people refuse to give up the lifestyle they're used to despite not having the money to fund it. If you find yourself unable to pay your bills each month, its time to look at some cuts. The first thing I'd recommend cutting is eating out. When I first started budgeting I couldn't believe how much my wife and I were spending eating out each month. You can save tons of money by cooking dinner yourself and eating at home. Other places I'd look to cut are satellite/cable tv, going to the movies, and buying new clothes. If its not necessary for you to get by, then hold off on buying it.

What are some things you are doing to avoid going into debt? Or have you had to turn to credit cards to get by?