Credit card debt is an unsecured liability that people end up with due to credit card loans. There are different causes that lead to people falling into a credit card debt. You may end up using your credit cards for surplus and luxurious purchases that you might not be able to pay off later. Alternatively, you may take out cash advances that lead to heavy fees and interest on your credit cards. There are many more ways through which you may end up with debt, but the following eight tips can help you to avoid credit card debt:

• Read terms and conditions carefully
  A lot of people avoid reading the fine print while signing up for credit cards, but it is important to understand your rewards and potential liabilities. Once you have all these details, you would not be caught by surprise. If in doubt, you can always speak to customer service and get your questions answered.
• Make a budget and stick to it
  We tend to let our hands loose once we get a credit card. However, maintaining financial stability requires you to make a budget for disciplined spending habits and stick to it accordingly. Avoid overspending at all costs.
• Keep a check on your accounts
  We recommend keeping a check on both your savings and checking accounts as well as credit card balances. It is important to know how much money you have in which account and plan your finances accordingly. This will also help you control your credit card expenses, which could otherwise land you in debt.
• Do not miss monthly payments
  You may miss your payments once in a while due to an emergency, but do not let it become a habit. Prioritize your loans and bills as late fees can lead to the accumulation of debt. Set reminders or opt for automatic payments to help you with this.
• Know how much credit you have
  One of the best tips to avoid credit card debt is to keep a tab on the credit limit of your cards and only spend a maximum of 30% of the limit on your credit card. This will help you avoid a high balance.
• Make a payment plan for your cards
  If you have balances on several credit cards, paying equal amounts on all of them will get you nowhere. Rather, try to pay the maximum amount on the card with the highest interest rate and finish off that balance for good.
• Switch to cash
  This might seem like a no-brainer, but many forget this basic tip to avoid credit card debt. You might feel lazy to run to the ATM and want to use your credit card instead, but these expenses can add up. Stay accountable to yourself, and use your credit card only in an emergency when you run out of cash.
• Avoid impulse shopping
  Most people tend to buy unnecessary things that they cannot afford without a credit card. This is a major reason that might land you in debt as you won’t be able to pay it off and the debt will keep accumulating.