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They're out to get you. They want you. Bad.

They stalk you everyday - in your mail box, on TV, on the internet and in your email boxes. And, if you attend college, their attraction to you is even more intense.

And it's costing all of us. Big time.

The lure for credit is very attractive. You are at your favorite department store and the clerk ringing you up tells you, "You know, you can save 10 percent by filling out this credit application." Who wouldn't accept a bargain, an extra jingle in your pocket?

Or, you are a college student between classes and a cute guy at a booth in the quad offers you a free beach towel for filling out his credit application. So you do, and six weeks after your date with cute booth guy, a card arrives in the mail.

It all starts innocently enough. It did for me too. But by the time I was married, I had $15,000 in credit card debt.

Debt can nearly ruin your life. It nearly ruined me. Initially, getting credit felt a lot like acceptance. Approval. Worthiness. The shopping, often times, was a vice I used to pretend my finances weren't that bad, or proof that I was worthy of all my dreams and desires. Many times, I was trying to fill a hole somewhere deep inside me.

The problem was, I was actually digging a hole deeper into debt.

Getting out of debt hasn't been easy, but we're almost there. We tried the consolidated loan plan and actually were able to pay off and close about five to six credit cards, using my car as collateral. This helped by freeing up some money each month to set aside for other bills. It's been about two years, and we still have one year to go, but this payment plan has gone a lot quicker than if we were paying each of the credit cards off individually (and at a higher interest rate).

We also entered into an agreement with Consumer Credit Counseling. This further helped us save more money each month, but also ruined what little respectable credit we had in the process. The most important lesson we learned while on CCC, though, was how to live on cash only. We last used a credit card in October 1998. We have no plans to use one ever again.

By the sheer grace of God, we were given a boost by family and were able to pay off our remaining credit card debt in November. By March, we were in our first home.

If it weren't for family, we would have been in CCC for at least another four years and that far away from owning our first home.

Not everyone in our similar situation can go to family for help the way we were able to. But the principles of what we learned still apply.

To get out of debt, you must stop abusing credit and live within your means. Cut as much as you can out of your expenses. Consider a program like CCC. Take on extra work if you have to, but don't spend anymore and focus on your goals - telling Bank of America they can keep their card and 19 percent APR!

And, if you are like me, you need to do some personal exploration. This never ends. You must learn how to fill that hole deep inside with other healthy things - hobbies, exercise, personal growth.

When you feel the need to shop, really ask yourself what the true problem is. And be honest with your answer.

Today, all the marketing ploys surrounding credit make me want to vomit. They aren't fooling me anymore. Their credit cards will not make my life easier. They will not make me prettier or skinnier. They will not bring me joy, love and happiness.

They will bring me monthly bills, laughable APRs and fees and a feeling of shame.

Because now I know better. Only I can bring me all the glory credit promises. And I think this is far more valuable than an extra 10 percent off my purchase.

About the Author: Kristine runs http://www.MyMamaSaid.com, an online community with tips, advice and support for all moms, and has been living credit-card free for almost two years. Who needs 'em!

Copyright 2000-01, Kristine Roberson