It happens to the best of us – one day you are hitting the best of the best sales, and the next day you realize that you have racked up your credit cards and now feel like you are drowning in debt. The good news is that with the right strategy and plan, you can pay off your credit card debt in an efficient manner. Even if you are on a tight budget, it is not impossible to get your credit card balances down and paid off. Here are some tips on how you can approach your debt:

• Cut expenses where you can. First, take a look at what your monthly spending looks like. Are there any expenses that you can temporarily cut until you get your cards paid off? Many people look to subscriptions as potential expenses to cut, such as Netflix or Hulu. But don’t worry, they can be re-upped once you are debt free!
• Stop using your credit cards. It may not be easy, but during this time it is smart for you to take a break from using your credit cards. Try and spend within your means – meaning, only spend money using your debit card or cash. This way, you know you are not racking up your bills any more than they already are, and ultimately you are saving money on that accompanying interest.
• Remember – don’t close your cards! Once you have made it to the finish line, you may feel a sense of relief and feel that it is time for you to close your cards to ensure that this same mistake does not happen again. Contrary to popular belief, it is not as smart to close your paid off cards as you think. It can in fact affect your credit, so it is best to keep it open.