Credit card debt is becoming a right of passage for Americans. It isn't only tolerated, it is encouraged as a measure of being wealthy. The idea is that you can surround yourself with things to forget your troubles, while putting of paying for it all.

Until the boat becomes so loaded with things that it starts to sink. Before you know it, you are over-your-head in debt. And you're treading with disaster.

Yes, part of the debt problem is due to what you buy. The other part is due to interest being charged on interest in the round about way that credit works.

What do you do when you find that you are too deep in debt to pay your bills on time, which causes interest to keep piling up?

The first thing you can do is make some phone calls. Call your credit card companies and ask for lower interest rates. They won't always lower your rates, but they could. You'll never know if you don't ask.

Call all of your creditors and explain the situation. Ask for lower payoffs, extended grace periods or other suggestions. Make sure they know that you want to pay them, you are just having trouble making ends meet right now. Most creditors will work with you to get their money.

Try to get a loan, even a personal signature loan, that will cover some of the bills that are outstanding at a lower rate. In other words, you are consolidating your own debts. But this won't work unless you are sure you eliminate the cards you consolidate. You can't go out and use them -- you'll just drown for sure that way.

Start an aggressive program to pay off your debt. From this point on, commit to spend no extra money. No movies, no eating out, no new clothes or things, no groceries (unless absolutely necessary). Eat what you have at home, wear your current clothes and pay off your bills. The less money you spend, the more you can dedicate to your debt. Make yourself a time limit of two weeks to start. You'll be surprised at how much you save. Then simply extend it as long as necessary.

You might have to take a second job or start cutting things from your budget. Look first at cutting your satellite or cable service, your cell phone, your water system rental and any other items you don't need. You could sell your vehicle and get a cheaper one. Consolidate what you can to lower interest rates, but remember, you can charge nothing else. You are done. That's it. No more.

It is really hard living when you are in debt over-your-head. You can't sleep at night for the worry. With hard work and patience, you can get out. Don't just call it hopeless, get to work.