Getting in debt is like gaining weight. It’s so easy to build up the overextention, but so hard to get rid of that excess. If you’re ready to "lose" some of those extra bills, let's take a look at an effective debt diet.

First of all, you have to make some decisions about your credit cards. Do you manage them or do they control you? For most people it’s as addictive to their financial picture to have credit cards in their pocket as it is for a dieter (or anyone concerned about their weight) to have chocolate cake in the fridge. If that sounds like you, then it’s time to do something about it.

Maybe you can just start keeping your cards in a lock box whenever you go shopping. Or you may even have to get rid of them all together (Heaven Forbid!)

Be honest with yourself. Can you really give up whipping out your credit card for each and every whim – or not? Oh, I know how urgent and important each and every purchase seems. I've been there, done that. But, to effectively manage credit cards, you have to take on a new way of being about them.

You must only use your cards, for convenience (like purchasing something on line or reserving an airline ticket over the phone), when you've already saved up the money to pay it off and have that cash available at the time of purchase. This mode of operation with credit cards can build up a good credit score, get rid of a great deal of stress and make your life run much more smoothly. But can you really do it?

If not, you'll have to eliminate credit cards from your life – entirely. So, get out the scissors and start cutting them up. But, wait! Think it through first. Maybe you can just stop using your cards – while you pay them off – and, by the time you're finished, you’ll be able to use them in a more responsible manner. What do you think?

And did I say you were going to pay off your cards? Yes I did! And this is how you can best do that. With your cards in "no-no" land, take the credit card bill that either has the highest interest rate or the one that has the lowest amount owed – choose one. Start paying that one off with everything extra that you can muster up each month.

If you haven't got enough income to pay more than the minimum balances on your cards, you may need to get a second job or create another source of income – like selling stuff on ebay or starting your own home business. Put all your focus on making money and paying off your credit card bills instead of spending money. (This is actually a very positive distraction.)

And once you succeed with paying off each bill, it's time to reward yourself. But don't celebrate by charging anything on your credit card or even by eating that piece of chocolate cake in the fridge. Find a way that’s debt free (and calorie free)!

Raise your credit score with a help of Credit-Rocket! Read the Chase credit card reviews Tired of high charges? Find the best database for credit cards! Read the fine print and find the Annual Percentage Rate (APR). This is the interest rate the companies charge you if you carry a balance. You want the lowest rate possible; as each percentage point drop will save you money on the months you have an outstanding balance.