Credit card bills start arriving in mail this week

The holidays are over and the credit card bills will be due soon. Retailers say spending was down over the holidays - but it wasn't because people were saving money. <br><br>Credit card debt is at

Friday, January 3rd 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The holidays are over and the credit card bills will be due soon. Retailers say spending was down over the holidays - but it wasn't because people were saving money.

Credit card debt is at an all time high, and interest rates on credit cards are generally between 9% and 18%. Margo Mitchell with Consumer Credit Counseling: "normal people owe money on credit cards and the typical people we counsel has nine different credit cards, and they owe over $26,000 dollars.â€

Credit counselors recommend people pay cash for necessities and live without the extras - and pay off high interest credit cards first.