Pay the Minimum Due
Always pay at least the minimum amount due, and, whenever possible, you should pay more than that on bills, loans and credit cards.

Watch Overspending
Don't use credit cards as a means of spending more than you can afford to repay. A credit card is not instant money; it's a loan with an obligation to repay. You should learn to recognize the difference between needs and wants before using a credit card. Remember, unless the balance is paid in full each month, the interest charges added to your monthly credit card bill can turn a $15 music CD into a $200 debt over time.

Notify Creditors of Problems
If you're having trouble paying your bills promptly, notify your creditors. Many creditors will work with you to create a manageable payment plan that will help you get back on your feet financially.

Keep Financial Information Secure
Never give out your Social Security number or information about your
financial accounts or credit card numbers unless you initiate the transaction and know that the person or business you are dealing with is reputable.

Check Your Credit Report
Order a copy of your credit report at least once a year. Check the report
carefully and immediately report any mistakes you find on it to the credit bureau. Your credit history is a valuable tool that follows you wherever
you go. Following these simple rules for credit management could mean the difference between opening the door to your dreams - and slamming the door on your future.

Controlling Debt
Wouldn't it be nice to be free of debt?
While that may sound like an impossible task, controlling the debt you have - and learning when debt makes financial sense - can be a reality with some discipline and hard work.

Take control of your debt by getting a handle on your spending. Write down your after-tax income for the month, including money you put in a retirement plan. Then list all your monthly expenses, including house, food, car payment and utilities. Be sure to include non-monthly bills such as gasoline and insurance, as well as little things like cash for the snack machine at work & and at the movies. Also, list separately any money you regularly put in a savings account To setup a manageable budget, total your annual expenses and divide by 12. This will give you the amount of money you will need monthly to pay your bills.

Start the process of paying down your debt by using any extra money you have at the end of the month to pay off the debt (usually a credit card) with the highest interest rate first At the same time pay the minimum monthly amount on all other revolving bills such as credit cards and loans. Once this debt is paid off, you will have more money to apply toward reducing the debt with the next highest rate.

Another option is to transfer the balances on your high-interest credit cards to a Regions Bank MasterCard® or Visa® credit card. Approved applicants may receive a 2.9% introductory APR on balance transfers for six months. After the introductory period, the cards have a fixed APR of I O.99% and no annual fee. This could bring you big savings compared to credit cards that charge higher rates.

You can apply for a Regions Bank MasterCard® or Visa® at your local Regions Bank office, online at www.regions.com, or by calling 1~800-REGIONS (1-800-734-4667).

Lowering the amount of debt is a slow process that requires patience and discipline. Set reasonable goals and simply do your best. The hard work will "pay off" in the end.