With credit abundantly available, getting what you want right away, regardless of whether you have the cash to pay for it, is common practice. There are many rationales for convincing yourself that this behavior is acceptable: you've had a rough week and you deserve a treat; you'll be able to pay off your credit card as soon as you get your next paycheck; you need a new mp3 player to help you lose weight; or perhaps you feel that you've waited long enough for that new car and you're not willing to wait anymore.

Combine the excuses from those of us who know better with a lack of knowledge from those of us who don't, and you've got a nation of debtors. Whether you need a gentle nudge to get back on the right track or some basic knowledge to keep yourself out of trouble in the first place, we'll give you nine ways to help you talk yourself out of drawing on credit.

Here they are:

Remember, not financing your purchases doesn't mean you can't pay with a credit card -- you just have to pay your bill in full within a month. The convenience, protection and cash-back rewards offered by credit cards make them a handy tool if you use them wisely.

The truth is if you can't really afford it, you may be giving yourself a gift in the short term, but you'll be giving yourself an expensive headache in the long run.