With rising costs in everything from fuel to food, many are charging expenses only to then end up in a pile of debt. But credit counselors say there are things you can do to minimize your own financial worries. Credit cards are a convenient way to spend, but for many they can be a huge problem.

"Credit cards are meant to be a temporary loan, something you can charge and then pay off in 30 days. They're not meant to be a long term loan," says Michael Hoggan with Consumer Credit Counseling Services. But experts say too many people end up in debt way over their head, leading to a dramatic increase bankruptcies this year.

Hoggan says most trouble comes from medical expenses, rising interest rates, and a lack of knowledge. "Many people are naive. They look at the credit card and take that first interest rate at 9.9, thinking it will last as long as they have it. They don't realize if they're late, they're going to have a problem."

Hoggan has suggestions to keep debt from piling up. If you are late on a payment, contact your creditor right away, to keep your interest from going up. If you are having trouble making payments, re-evaluate your spending or try to bring in extra income. Limit yourself to two credit cards and never charge more than half of a card's limit. Also, shift to cash flow spending, and try to set aside any amount of savings.

"Ten dollars a pay day or $20 dollars a pay day, and eventually you'll have some in there and eventually you wont need credit cards anymore," says Hoggan. He says a great tip is to shred those tempting credit card offers you get in the mail. And, if you're having trouble, the worst thing you can do is hide from the problem. Instead, he says, communicate with your lenders or counselors.