How Do You Say No To Credit Card Accounts When They Are So Addictive?

By Roger Overanout

Credit card accounts are just so useful that it is easy to become addicted to using them. With a credit card in your pocket you have instant access to money up to your credit limit, the problem is that it is borrowed money and you will have to pay high rates of interest on any balance you leave outstanding at the end of the month. So if you had become addicted to using your not so flexible friend what can you do about it?

I think the first step is that you have to be prepared to admit to yourself that you have a problem with your credit card use, and you have to decide that you and only you are going to do something about it. This is not easy, it requires determination and effort on your part but if you're prepared to take the necessary steps you can cure your credit card account addiction.

I am not suggesting that you should necessarily get rid of your credit card, though if this is the only way you can cope with credit card debt then so be it, get the scissors out and cut the card up.

If you can maintain some budgeting discipline then keep your credit card but use it with care and make sure that your expenditure does not exceed your income and the outgoings you have on your present bills.

Try and get a low interest credit card this will make it easier to reduce the outstanding debt at the end of each month, the target you should aim for is to pay off your total outstanding balance every month.

It is a simple fact that if you do not pay off your credit card balance when it is due them the interest charges start to increase significantly and you will very quickly find yourself with a large debt. Once you get into this position it can very quickly become a real nightmare. Your number one objective should be to always pay more than the minimum payment required each month.

If you find you have become addicted to using your credit card account seek help from a qualified debt counsellor immediately. You'll be surprised how many other people are in the same position as you and by taking advice early you will limit the problems and make it easier to get out of the credit card debt spiral.

Using credit cards is just so easily they give us instant gratification without apparently having to part with any real money, of course that's an illusion. You have to learn your lesson with credit card accounts if you are in debt set up a budget to pay off your current outstanding balance, making your goal to get this paid off within a certain period of time, if it is your firm intention to clear this debt within a given time scale you will be less inclined to add to your credit card debt.

If all else fails cut up your credit cards and deal in cash only, I know it's not as easy or convenient but the fact that you have to budget and plan how much cash you have in your in your purse or wallet will in itself help you to take control of your credit card debt and help you to break your addiction to credit card accounts.

To find out more about Credit Card Accounts check out the articles at http://www.creditcardaccountcenter.com

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Stop Smoking Methods - Why Is Nicotine So Addictive?

By Peter Ward

The latest research into nicotine addiction is leading to an improved understanding of the effects and working mechanism of the drug on the body, even indicating a genetic predisposition to becoming addicted to cigarettes.
Advanced neuro- imaging techniques assist researchers by allowing them to observe specific changes in the brain under the influence of nicotine. The hope is that these findings will allow the development of new and effective smoking cessation treatments.
When a person smokes a cigarette they ingest around 1 to 2mg of nicotine, after inhalation the smoker receives an initial “high” due to stimulation of the adrenal glands. This causes a rush of adrenaline which stimulates the body; this in turn causes a release of glucose, an increase in blood pressure as well as breathing rate and heart rate.
The calming effect of nicotine that smokers report is a response to the loss of withdrawal symptoms rather than the drug itself. It seem that the effect of nicotine on the brain is to activate parts of the brain that regulate feelings of pleasure, increasing the levels of the chemical, dopamine, also associated with sensations of physical reward. Research also indicates that certain other chemicals in tobacco smoke reinforce the nicotine effect.
An enzyme called monoamine oxidase which helps break down dopamine, is less effective when smoking causing the pleasurable dopamine effect to last longer. Another chemical acetaldehyde seem to chemically enhance the effect of nicotine The addictive nature of nicotine comes from the fact that these pleasurable effects are short lived, causing the smoker to desire more of the drug to obtain the pleasure reward, so driving them back to tobacco use.
The other addictive aspect of smoking for some people is the “ritual” of smoking. The purchase, the handling, the lighting and smoking of a cigarette all add to its habit forming nature.
The desire to smoke can be put into two main categories.1) The physical craving for nicotine, resulting in the dopamine effect, that the body experiences due to the chemical changes detailed above and…2) The thoughts and attitudes held by the smoker themselves, what are the real reasons behind a persons smoking habit. Often understanding why a person truly smokes can help them quit by addressing underlying problems.
By understanding these two sides, combination treatments such as the use of nicotine replacement therapy, in the form of patches or gum, in conjunction with behavioural therapies, such as, neuro linguistic programming or cognitive behavioural therapy treat both aspects of the addition together. This kind of combination approach has proved highly effective. An improved understanding of nicotine addiction, as well as how it works, will lead to advanced treatments in the future. These will add to existing forms of treatment
Peter Ward writes on a variety of health and associated health issues. The website below offers free guidance and advice on smoking cessation. Concentrating on changing smokers attitudes and thoughts to help them quit smoking by understanding why they smoke in the first instance. Click on the link : http://www.quit-smoking-asap.com