Everyone loves their New Year's celebration. It's a time for people to get together with close friends and family, and celebrate the past year and look forward to what's to come. Gym memberships spike, new diets begin, and now, people in Houston are making resolutions to pay off debt, especially credit card debt.

According to an annual survey, paying off debt has made it into the top three New Year's financial resolutions of people in the Houston area. It ranked second only to saving more money. Spending less money ranked third in the survey. Of the people who participated in the financial resolutions survey, 50 percent said they would like to pay off debt in 2012.

Nationally, 19 percent of people who made financial related resolutions said paying off debt was the number one priority. This survey helps demonstrate the growing need for Americans and people in Houston to pay off credit card debt. Most of the people in the survey mentioned paying off their credit card debt specifically.

After a holiday season when spending tends to go rampant, people are especially attuned to their personal finances. Those looking to pay off debt quickly, may not always know how to pay it off, or have gotten so far in debt that they don't know if they can make even the minimum payments. Seeking the help of an experienced bankruptcy attorney could be one option in helping to eliminate your debt and stop harassment from creditors seeking to collect on debt.

Source: Houston Chronicle, "News Year's resolutions: Save more, spend less, pay debt," Katherine Feser, Dec. 30, 2011