5% interest rates aren't too bad. It's when they reach 20% that the SHF.<p>Been there once already, never want to repeat that situation. But it looks like that's where we're headed.<p>In times of difficulty, get rid of any debt that you have. Eat out your freezer, eat out your cupboards, but drop that debt as much as possible. Especially credit-card debt above all others. Pay off the high-interest rates cards first, or use the low -interest rates ones to reduce your high-interest rates ones faster.<p>Credit-cards are killers. Just wave that card, and you're all set. Bullshit.<p>Give yourself a small allowance. Get it in cash. Once that allowance is gone, you can't spend any more till the next allowance time. You'll soon learn where all your cash is evaporating from. The rest of your weekly income goes straight off the credit-card. Hide the credit-card in back of the cupboard, away from your wallet.