SAN ANTONIO – How you pay for the holidays can have a big impact on your credit rating.
KSAT asked shoppers what they use when shopping and got varied, but common responses. Some people chose cash while other shoppers pulled out the plastic when it came time to pay.
"We try not to put anything on credit cards for the holidays," Robert and Valerie Gomez said.
They're expecting their first baby and told us they're being very careful to budget all their spending right now.
Sticking to a budget and spending within our means is a goal a lot of people have, but sometimes things don't quite work out.
Using credit to shop for family and friends during the holidays can be a real rush. But, that high can quickly evaporate when the bills come rolling in, especially if you find you've gotten in over your head.
"I don't like to see the bills come in," one shopper said. "In January, I'm horrified."
For people feeling the same way, they may get the urge to find a quick fix for their credit mess.
Good credit is the key to getting competitive interest rates on credit cards as well as on car and home loans.
It can even help people land a better-paying new job.
But according to the Texas Attorney General's Office, repairing your credit takes time.
There aren't quick fixes, and the AG's office urges you to be wary of companies promising to fix your credit for a price.
The AG's office says repairing credit begins with letting creditors know your situation. Next, ask if they're willing to reduce or reschedule your payments. The agency also cautions people not to let rude or overzealous collection efforts by creditors stop them from seeking help.
Instead, it suggests sitting down with a reputable credit counselor, who can help people set up a budget to manage debt as they pay it off and rebuild their creditworthiness.