Credit card debt can be bad, but it is often hard to avoid this debt with the possibility of many emergencies cropping up. So, what can you do? This article discusses four simple tips to consider while using a credit card to avoid debt:

• Keep a tab on your credit card payments
  Missing a credit card payment can affect your finances in more ways than you can imagine. Firstly, you will have liability for the upcoming months and will also need to pay the late fee, which is an unnecessary expense. A helpful tip to avoid credit card debt is to stay on track with your payments.
  Set reminders on your phone calendar or opt for automatic bill payments to avoid missing payments. These small efforts can save you a lot of money in the long run.
• Pay off your balance in full
  We get our paychecks monthly, so we follow a month on month cycle for everything from stocking up on groceries to paying off bills. Another tip to avoid credit card debt is to adopt this cycle for the credit cards as well. Keep clearing off your dues in full each month so that the amount you owe does not add up. This may also mean that you need to cut down on your spending habits, but it is better than ending up in a pile of debt.
• Stay away from cash advances
  Any financial expert will tell you that a cash advance is the worst way to use a credit card. You are in more trouble than you know if you end up using your credit card to get cash. In fact, a cash advance is often one of the earliest signs of building credit card debt. The fees for a cash advance are really high, and the interest is calculated from the day you take out the money, so there is no grace period.
  Instead of a cash advance, it would be better to create an emergency fund that you can use at times when you need the money urgently.
• Limit the number of credit cards
  One of the most common ways to get yourself into a credit card debt is by keeping multiple credit cards with varying limits. Instead, we recommend having just one or two cards so that you do not end up accumulating a lot of dues. Also, another tip to avoid credit card debt is to understand that the lesser the limit available with the card at hand, the lower are the chances of you going on a spending spree. Some people might not feel that a low credit card limit is beneficial, but it is very helpful in regulating your spending habits.
  Additionally, always remember that your credit card is a substitute for your major expenses and not a primary way to spend your money. So, avoid swiping it as much as possible.