Article: Debt the halls: Credit card users can get in trouble at holiday time.(Originated from Knight-Ridder Newspapers)

BRADENTON, Fla. _ Christmas falls on a Monday this year, giving procrastinating shoppers a full weekend to scour stores in search of last-minute gifts.

Those hectic days could provide a breeding ground for credit card purchases that many consumers would not have otherwise made.

That would spell big problems for some.

Using credit cards is one of the biggest ways consumers get into trouble, especially during the holidays.

Though many start off their holiday shopping by spending cautiously and leaving the plastic at home, as the big day nears and the cash flow slows, many turn to cards to buy gifts.

To make spending easier, but matters ...

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