Marci Mertens, senior financial specialist for the UW Credit Union, offers her top 10 tips for getting or staying out of credit card debt in order of least to most important.

1. Do not charge items that will be gone before you pay off your bill.

   Charging a pair of jeans you plan to wear for a long time is fine, but try not to use your credit card to pay for things like groceries, eating out or entertainment. These items can add up fast, and paying with cash prevents you from spending money you do not have.

2. Avoid expensive brand names.

   Designer labels and brand-name products can cost much more and are not necessarily higher quality than less popular brands or generics. Try and make do with less expensive versions of products.

3. Buy what you need and save up for what you want.

   Save up for items you want but do not need right away and buy them when you can afford to so that you avoid paying interest charges. You will also appreciate the item more if you have to wait for it.

4. Care about your credit score.

   If you cannot pay your bills at the times they are due, your credit score may drop and this may affect your purchasing power in the future. A low credit score may prevent you from being able to buy the car or house you want after college and may even decrease the possibility of landing a job.

5. Check your credit card’s policy on making early payments.

   Some cards penalize you for making them, so find out if any of your cards do. Mertens recommends paying your bill the same day your statement arrives in the mail.

6. Try and find a card with a low interest rate.

   The interest rate is the amount you will be charged for carrying a balance, and this rate will be applied to the unpaid balance on your card. Interest rates on cards offered by the UW Credit Union range from 15.2 to 18 percent, which is low compared to other student credit cards. Store credit cards often charge interest rates around 25 percent.

7. Find out if your card includes extra fees.

   While most do not, some credit cards charge annual fees simply for having them. Others require you to charge a minimum amount per month or your interest rates will go up. Some credit cards will also charge a fee if you pay your bill online; avoid these cards or pay the bills the old-fashioned way.

8. Do not go over your limit.

   If you exceed your limit, you will have to pay the interest due plus over-limit fees. In other words, it will probably cost you a lot.

9. If you cannot make a payment, contact your creditor immediately.

   If you let them know before your bill is due, they will help you figure out how it will get paid. If you wait until after it is due to talk to them, or if you do not bother contacting them at all, they may not be willing to help you. They may also take money out of your accounts and repossess items you own.

10. Treat your credit card as cash.

    Most importantly, do not spend money you do not have. Only charge as much as you can pay off in full every month.

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