Are You Sinking in Credit Card Debt?

Many Americans are sinking in credit card debt and the financial crisis is making it harder for those families to tread water.

They're using credit cards instead of cash to pay for gasoline, groceries and other items.

Credit or debit? Are Southeast Texans choosing to pay now or pay later?

Whether Leona Lindsey is buying groceries, gifts or gas, she pays with cash, and sometimes her two year old lends a helping hand.

"We just want to stick to what we know, and cash is one thing we know we have in our hand."

Paper or plastic? The sales clerk asks, and the answer isn't the same.

"I can pay it off on a monthly basis," said Kimberlee Bryant. "That's why I use my American Express."

Bryant didn't think twice about swiping her credit card, but she says that'll soon change when she begins her Christmas shopping.

"Money's kind of tight right now, so this Christmas we're gonna use half cash and charge the rest."

That's common during the holiday season, according to Clint Wilson, the marketing manager at Dupont Goodrich Federal Credit Union.

"Be aware of what you're charging, have a good solid plan to pay for it, and if you have to carry it a month or two, that's okay as long as you don't carry it too long and you don't let those balances get too high."

Wilson says it's best to avoid using credit for everyday purchases such as gasoline or groceries, but he says it's normal to make special purchases with a credit card.

"The ideal way to work a credit card is to pay it off entirely every month and to have that balance brought down to zero every month."

A monthly statement some consumers don't mind, but others, including Leona Lindsey, don't want to see in their mailbox.

A group of banks says it's working with consumer groups to help find ways for Americans to get out of their credit card debt and avoid bankruptcy.