width=device-width, initial-scale=1, shrink-to-fit=no" name="viewport"/>The two debt traps to avoid this Christmas – and what to do instead. With five rate rises this year, petrol near $2 a litre and Christmas coming, it’s possible you might be really feeling the cash crunch. It’s also possible you’re desperately trying to figure out. Credit card debt can spiral out of control if not managed properly, leading to financial distress.