Truth of the matter, more than likely, you already have been. You probably didn't even realize it or think about it before. But don't feel bad; it's a big club. We've all been there before and if it makes you feel better, at one time, it was about the only way. However, that was then and this is now, so let's change the errors of our ways.

First though, we have to examine how we got here. Grab your wallet or purse, go on, and lay out those credit cards. Now, slowly look over each card and ask yourself, "Self, where did we get this card? How did we get this card?" No, I'm not talking about the company whose name and logo is on the card. Let me help you out. Let's start with the oldest, most beat up and worn card you have. Ah, the fond memories of college days gone by. Chances are, you didn't pick this card out of all the possible credit cards because it matched up with your credit habits or needs, but because there was some credit card sign-up table outside the cafeteria one day and you were offered a travel coffee mug or whatever the hot item was. Today's students are probably a little more savvy and are probably holding out for mp3 players, which certainly beats the big bag of candy that, ahem, some of us might have been lured in with.

So lets write off that indiscretion due to youth, but what about today? What about the credit cards that you applied for after receiving an email, or clicked on a banner ad, or maybe you received a promotion application in the mail? Based on the six applications I received in the mail this week alone, this must still be a successful tactic.

But why are you letting the credit card companies tell you what card to use? Credit card companies are like casinos... everyone thinks they win and credit card companies aren't in to losing money, so as they say, you do the math.

You can allow yourself to get picked, or you can do the picking. Credit card companies offer cards with features from one end of the spectrum to the other because they don't want to give up on a part of the market. They can still profit on either end... it really comes down to people not being matched up with a card that fits their financial and credit lifestyle. Credit cards provide tremendous convenience, and in many cases, more security than carrying cash, so the idea of not having any credit cards is probably not very realistic for the majority of people. But carrying the right cards is.

Pick the credit card that matches your credit lifestyle. Just like in life, you may be able to put a square peg in a round hole, but it isn't ideal. Here is your plan to identify your credit lifestyle. It's okay, this isn't a right or wrong, judgmental analysis, it is purely focused on identifying what is and what you would like it to be:

1) Evaluate your current situation. Do you carry a balance or pay off your cards each month? In other words, are you paying finance charges? Perhaps you follow both strategies, paying off some cards, but carrying balances on others.

2) Look at each of those cards to determine what the basic features are and whether they make sense with how you are using the cards... if you carry a balance from month to month, ideally you want to do that on a card with the lowest finance charges. Or if you have a card that gives you great rewards, maybe airline mileage (assuming you fly and will use the mileage) or cash back, then you might want to use that card for large purchases to rack up rewards quicker... but since those cards probably carry a higher finance charge, this only makes sense if you pay off the balances each month. Otherwise, why spend $100 in finance charges to earn $.10? Maybe you have a card that has incredible consumer features, like item replacement and free extended warranties. You probably want to use that type of credit card for your consumer spending rather than gas and groceries, especially if you carry a balance... after all, who wants to pay finance charges on the chips you ate a month ago? Okay, so you get the idea here.

3) Next, think about the lifestyle you want... not carrying a balance if you do today, earning cash back, etc. Now, is this something that can realistically be achieved today? This may have to be a long-term plan, which is okay. The minimum goal for today should be to at least align your cards, or replace them with cards that align with your current credit lifestyle.

4) Find and apply for the cards that match up with your credit lifestyle... and cancel-- very important, cancel the cards that don't. Forget about that "member since" status... let's face it, no one cares, no one notices... it's just a marketing ploy to create brand loyalty without giving any reason for that loyalty.

Beat the credit card companies at their own game. The web has opened up a huge marketing channel where they can lure in new applicants with banner ads in addition to all the applications they send in the mail. But the web also provides you the ability to research hundreds of credit cards from the convenience of your computer, even searching based on your credit lifestyle. Take charge of your credit lifestyle and don't let the credit card companies pick on you ever again.

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.