As January unfolds, spending from all the holidays rears its head. If you used a credit card for your shopping, you most likely spent 30% more than if you had paid cash. The credit card companies are hiking up their minimum payments and you may be worried about your overall credit rating.

If credit is a concern, DO NOT, spend a dime on anything that looks like, sounds like or says it is, a credit repair clinic. No one can fix your credit … no one, but you. Here's how:

1. Pay your bills on time...take advantage on online banking and payments.

2. Always pay a few bucks more than the minimum required.

3. Work, on paying down the balance.

That's it. No fancy tricks or gimmicks. PLUS …

4. One other tip. Call the 800# on the back of your credit card(s) and tell the customer service rep that you are getting offers in the mail to open an account with another financial company at a lower rate. Ask for your rate to be lowered. If you've been paying on time, 80% will drop it a few percentage points.

It's a smart money move. Over time, it will save you mega thousands of dollars.

Your Money Tip: Final recommendation—get my latest book, Your Money: How to Get Hold of Your Money Before Debt Gets Hold of You. It's an excellent way to start the New Year.

Patricia Lane Williams CPA is the author of Your Money: How to Get Hold of Your Money Before Debt Gets Hold of You. As a trusted resource for the accounting profession for over 30 years providing content for their continuing education.Her website is PatWilliamsAuthor.com and she can be reached at PatWilliams.Author@gmail.com.