We feel your pain.

Seriously, do you really think that the credit card companies who are filling your mailbox and inbox with warm, fuzzy offers of easy credit are really concerned about your economic well-being?

Not a chance.

The credit crunch in our economy has the credit card companies feasting like a bunch of goblins on Halloween night.

Be warned …they are out for blood. They know people are hurting and it’s amazing the lengths to which they will go to entice consumers into their web of bondage. They lure desperate people with the promise of “guaranteed” low interest rates.

Many of the companies make it look so easy for consumers to get beyond this credit crunch that they turn a blind eye on the black widow waiting to paralyze them.

Now this excuse is dumber than cat hair….no disrespect intended to our feline friends.

I had someone tell me once that they were on the verge of bankruptcy and it was the credit card company’s fault. She said, they were the ones sending all those pre-approved applications and she felt like they wanted her to keep charging. OH, PLEASE.

That’s like the father who called his daughter at college and asked why she was bouncing checks to which she replied, “Daddy, the bank has made a mistake, there has to be money in my account because I haven’t used all my checks yet.”

Where are the "priceless" TV credit card ads when your bills begin to mount off? They’re off on vacation with your hard-earned money.

Here are 15 ways you can know when your credit card bills are too high.

You’re special AND that’s NOT just because you’re visiting the Debt Free Army website and reading this blog. You’re special because the Word of God says that you are.

Now I must admit I’m curious how many of you received a letter in your mailbox during the past week telling you how SPECIAL you are that you’ve been pre-approved, pre-qualified for that special low interest credit card.

Do you think credit card companies are sending you these credit card offers because they think you’re so SPECIAL. No, it’s because they want your money.

Keep this in mind when you’re reading all the flowery language in the credit card/debt solicitation.

Who’s the biggest fan of gift cards for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries and Christmas?

If you guessed your spouse, children, grandchildren, co-workers, friends or business associates … you’d be wrong.

They may like them but the number one fan of gift cards is the retailers who sell them to you.

Are gift cards on your Christmas list? If so, here’s some information that you ought to know. . .before heading to the mall.

The National Retail Federation’s estimates that over $26 billion…that’s billion with a capital “B” will be spent on gift cards this holiday season. Yes, over $26 billion dollars with be spend on gift card this year even though over $8 billion dollars in gift cards purchased in 2006 have never been used.

Why do you think most people buy gift cards? Because it’s easy.

Set a Holiday Budget – A recent survey found that 44% of Americans don’t set holiday spending budgets and, of those that do, 12% expect to exceed it.

Establish your budget before you head to the stores; decide for whom you’re going to buy and assign a dollar amount to each person. Keep the list you create with you when you shop and stick to it. A little planning beforehand will help you keep your financial wits about you.

There are way too many believers in trouble because they’ve been shopping at Bed, Bath and Beyond Their Means. Here are 7 ways you can help yourself financially in the coming shopping season:

1. Reality Check: Get out your most recent credit card bills before you go shopping. Figure up how much you’ve paid in interest this year. You may also do the same with department store cards, as well as car and personal loans. Now plan your shopping list.

For most people this Christmas. . .gift giving may come as a challenge. Many people are facing harsh economic realities not of their own making or choosing.

But when it comes to Christmas, a desire to give good and often expensive gifts can tug on your emotional heartstrings making it tempting to unwisely increase your debt load.

Play now. . .pay later. . .is no longer an option.

Here are a dozen plus gift ideas that are either inexpensive or home-made.