To have a credit card does not automatically mean you will have debt. Some people have several credit cards, and pay them off each and every month. Still, most of us aren’t as disciplined. Instead, we use credit cards freely, engaging in several acts that leave us in debt up to our eyeballs.

The best way to avoid credit card debt is to avoid a credit card. But, if you do have one, try avoiding the following habits:

Using it Often: Using your credit card often is the quickest way to get yourself in debt. Sure, it’s more convenient to use a credit card rather than write a check or rifle around for cash, but it’s also more risky. The more you use your card, the more debt you will be in.

Not Looking at Your Statement: Statements are sent to you for a reason: so you can review them. Not only do statements allow you to make sure no mistakes were made, or that no one charged your credit card without you knowing, but they also inform you of things like interest rate changes.

Making Minimum Payments: Making a minimum credit card payment assures one thing: you’ll be in debt for years to come. When you pay the minimum, you are paying off mostly interest: you are hardly even touching the actual debt. Thus, if you can pay more, do.

Making Late Payments: Making a late payment not only hurts your credit score, but it also adds on a fee, usually a steep one. Many credit card companies assess a $50 fee even if you are just one day late. Over time, this adds up. If you pay late every other time, you accrue $300 of more debt a year.

Failing to Understand Balance Transfers: Balance transfers are a good idea, but only when you truly understand them. Once you transfer a balance, you will be given a lower interest rate, but usually this only applies to the balance transferred. Any debt you accrue with the new credit card has a higher interest rate. Thus, balance transfers are only a good idea if you don’t make any charges to the new credit card.

The same can be said for consolidating: understand the risks involve. If you over consolidate and load one card up with all your debt, you will likely see a drop in your credit score.

Not having a Plan: Having a plan is essential when paying off debt. If you are not working to pay off your debt and just assuming you’ll “get to it” when you can, your debt will likely sky rocket. If you are serious about becoming debt free, formulate a plan or find a credit counseling company to formulate one for you.

Letting Others Have Access: It goes without saying, you should never allow other people to use your credit card. If you do, you will be legally responsible for whatever they buy. This also goes for cosigning: never cosign a credit card for a friend.

Using retail or reward cards: Both of these types of cards are dangerous. Retail cards are often much higher in interest rates than standard cards: they also encourage you to spend more money that you otherwise would. Rewards cards do this as well. Because they encourage spending, they are not a smart card to use if you’re trying to stay or get out of debt.

Using Credit Cards to Pay for Large Items: Using your credit card to pay for a family vacation, season football tickets, or college tuition assures that you will be in debt for quite a while. Instead, for big ticket items try paying out of pocket and for college tuition try student loans.

If you must have a credit card, avoiding certain actions can help you avoid debt. When it comes down to it, credit cards, like anything that involves money, should just be used intelligently.