...and pay off the debt that comes with it.

Getting rid of credit cards is at the top of the most common financial new year's resolutions this year. In honor of the Shred Your Credit Card contest, here is a few home videos that will get your creative juices going to finally make it happen.

So here are the videos, sorted by number of views:

Will It Blend? - Credit Cards - 972,733 views
The Blendtec guy sets off to blend his and his wife's 24 credit cards. Really? 24?!?! Wow guys... no wonder you were in debt.

Cut up your credit card the right way - 130,696 views
Cynthia Drake from CreditCards.com shows us how to avoid identity theft when disposing of a credit card. Look at those tiny pieces of credit card!

Credit Card Blow Up - 14,793 views
This credit card wouldn't die, even after an explosion and follow-up firecrackers.

Microwaving My Credit Card - 9,001 views
Not sure the toxic fumes from burning your credit card are any healthy, but at least Debtkid accomplished his goal.

Priceless Plasectomy - 7,966 views
Wait a second. There is a Star Wars credit card with Yoda on it?

6 Insane Ways to Destroy Your Credit Card - 6,601 views
From the Money.co.uk team, here are 6 crazy ways to get rid of that credit card. I guess the English accent makes the "insane" part seem a bit more civilized.

The Tennessee Credit Card Massacre - 5,378 views
Viewer discretion is advised. The whole time I was afraid this guy was going to chop off his fingers.

Huntin' Plastic - 3,993 views
Check this guy out hunting this not-so-unique "specimen".

Explode-a-Debt! Debt Reduction System - 3,416 views
If only debt reduction were this easy.

How To Properly Destroy a Credit Card - 2,910 views
From the guys at Howcast.com.

Credit Card Destroyer - 1,838
No sound? Well, the bow & arrow idea can only be pulled off by a professional archer.

Plasectomy done PSYCHO STYLE!!!! - 1,478 views
Kinda scary, this one. The blood looks more orange than red, no?

Dave Ramsey LASER Plasectomy LaserScribe - 540 views
Is this the same technology they use in eye laser correction? If so, I'm now convinced contact lenses is the only option for me .

Destroy Your Credit Cards! - 465 views
The chip in the American Express Blue credit card makes for a visually stunning display in the microwave.

Burn that Credit Card - 336 views
With a blowtorch? Brilliant!

I'm Shredding my Bank of America Visa Credit Card!!! - 124 views
...with a belt sander (wow!)

Hope you got inspired, and you're looking around for your camera to do your own and enter the ShredYourCreditCard.com contest.

@RobGarciaSJ

Image courtesy of David Huang.

I set off to write about how our economy is primarily based on consumerism and impulse buying.   We are bombarded constantly and incessantly with advertising and entertainment media telling us to buy, buy, buy, as the shortest path to happiness and bliss.   This has left many people with credit card debt that can take years to get rid of.

The solution? Well, if we turn to the same folks who recommended to "buy, buy, buy", you will hear a myriad of quick solutions: just file for bankruptcy, settle your debt down, or transfer your balances to a credit card with a lower rate.   It all seems like a never ending pernicious cycle.

At Lending Club, our customers are taking control of their debt: over 62% of Lending Club personal loans have been used for pay off credit cards or consolidate existing debt in one fixed monthly payment at lower rates.

But what is the real solution?  To my surprise, I found this clip from Saturday Night Live with Steve Martin from 2006 that could not have said it more clearly.  It's funny and ironic that a comedy show is the one that got it right, and concise, in 2 simple sentences:

• Don't buy stuff you cannot afford;
• Seriously, if you don't have the money, don't buy it.

Here is the full clip courtesy of SNL and Hulu.  Enjoy!

@RobGarciaSJ