Passage 2: In a perfect world, we should all avoid too much credit card debt and would never have to 1) _____________ the trouble of being unable to meet our credit card payment obligations. But this is not a perfect world, and unfortunately, these distressing situations are the 2) ____________ for many people. If you find yourself in this position, or heading there, you should cut your spending now. Don’t wait until your situation is so desperate that you have few options 3) ___________ to you. Facing the factors that give you the urge to spend money carelessly can be uncomfortable, but if you don’t face them, how will you control your debt and acquire the things you truly want? One 4) __________ aspect of using credit cards instead of cash is that you are totally unaware of the fact that you’re spending real money. The pleasant feelings you 5) ___________ when you purchase the item are isolated from the unpleasant feelings of making the payment when you get the credit card statement. Studies affirm that most people are much 6) _____________ to buy when paying with cash as opposed to credit cards. So, try leaving your credit cards at home, and pay with cash or 7) ______________. To really control your spending and your credit card debt, you need to examine what money means to you. Make an effort notice how you interact with money and what beliefs and attitudes you have about money. Studies also show that people with low self-esteem 8) ____________ themselves in more impulse spending and buying things they don’t need. 9) _____________ yourself daily that your worth as a person has nothing to do with how much money you have. Once you are convinced of this, you will break the psychological 10) _____________ that were keeping you from handling your money wisely.