Little white financial lies can lead to big revolving balances and bad credit. Credit cards have advantages but end in debt if we aren’t straight about our reasons to use them. Here are five popular ways we talk ourselves into credit card debt.

Lie #1: Living outside of our means.This About.com article also calls it spending more money than you make. Credit cards offer convenience, but can also be an excuse to pass expenses you are not entirely sure you can afford onto the plastic. It’s mathematically impossible to pay off debt if you continue to accrue it and not pay it completely off each month.

Lie #2: Giving yourself the okay to shop off list. One of the fastest ways to overspend on food is veering off a written or mental list. The same goes for any type of personal shopping, be it clothes or cleaning supplies. This personal finance blog lists over twenty other creative ways to get in trouble with credit cards you never thought possible.

Lie #3: Putting off paying the balance in full. You say you’ll pay the balance off next month. But statistically, only 29% of credit card users ever do. If you’re looking to buy something a little more expensive or out of the monthly budget, save for it in cash instead of plopping the amount onto a card that will only haunt you for months on end.

Lie #4: Confusing wants with needs. Easy to do when plastic has the power to convince consumers to spend as high as 20% more than they would if paying in cash. Elizabeth Warren, author of All Your Worth, recommends a 48-hour contemplation on any expense over $100. No one says you cannot have it. You just need to use the time to pull together cash rather than the plastic.

Lie #5: Avoiding the statement. One of the best ways to remain in denial about your spending habits is to ignore the fine print, from your finance charges to the billing cycle. Not facing the tally of what you owe on all credit card statements is a sure sign honesty over your finances still sits in the shadows.