 TITLE: How to Pay Off 20,000 in Credit Card Debt CONTENT: Make a Habit of Responsible Credit Use\n--------------------------------------\nIn many cases, credit card debt comes from factors outside of your control, such as medical bills or divorce. But regardless of how your debt was accumulated, there are some steps you can take to develop good credit habits going forward.\nResponsible credit card use includes many things, such as:\n*   Paying your bill on time and in full every month\n*   Avoiding spending more than you can afford\n*   Keeping your balances low relative to your credit limits\n*   Avoiding frequent new credit card applications\n*   Keeping old accounts open, even if you don't use them regularly\nIt's also important to check your credit score and credit report regularly so you can spot potential problems before they wreak havoc on your credit score. This can include things like missed payments but also potential fraud and inaccurately reported information. END