--You can save as much as several hundred dollars each year in lower credit card interest charges by paying off your entire bill each month.

--If you are unable to pay off a large balance, switch to a credit card with a low annual percentage rate (APR). For a modest fee, Bankcard Holders of America (703-389-5445) and RAM Research Corp. (800-344-7714) will send you a list of low-rate cards.

--You can reduce credit card fees, which may add up to more than $100 a year, by getting rid of all but one or two cards, and by avoiding late payment and over-the-credit limit fees.

--If you don't want to be tempted by credit cards but can't bring yourself to getting rid of them, keep one only. Then put that one in a small plastic bowl filled with water and freeze it.

--The average person spends 112% more on a credit card than they would if paying cash. Never go to a Mall (or anywhere else) with a credit card without knowing exactly what you are after--- use a list.

--If you have high-interest credit cards, pay more than the minimum payment each month. It will save you money and the loan will be paid off more quickly.

--If you can't afford to pay off your credit card balances each month, stop using the card until it is paid off. Cut up your high interest cards or just keep a couple around for emergencies or controlled convenience.

--Put a note on your credit card that reads, "Do I really need this?", "Remember Your Savings Plan," or "The account balance on this card is $3,000!"

--If you need plastic, use non-balance bearing type cards such as gasoline credit cards or American Express (Green but not Gold or Platinum as these are normal balance carrying credit cards). As long as you are not forwarding any balances and are not paying interest, it is often a handy way to account for expenses.

--When you pay with MasterCard, Visa, or American Express, don't put your phone number, home address, or other personal information on the credit card sales slip and don't provide the merchant with your driver's license number. All three companies prohibit merchants from refusing to sell to you if you don't provide this information.

--Review your monthly credit card statements. Ask for the carbons of your transaction slips. Stealing carbons from trashcans is a popular method of getting credit card numbers. The carbons have all the numbers a thief needs: your name, your account number, and expiration date.

--If shopping online, ask the vendor if your transaction will be encrypted - put into a code - so that your personal information is protected from others. Encryption is not a guarantee, but it makes cyber-snooping more difficult.