Buy now and pay later.

With an estimated two-thirds of college students owning credit cards, the temptation to use — and abuse — credit cards can be overwhelming. But the fun comes to a screeching halt when students receive the bill.

Pushy salespeople and plush freebies greet students at every corner. Credit card applications are everywhere, whether students are walking down College Avenue, flipping through a magazine or sifting through the barrage of inserts that tumble out of their textbooks. These aggressive marketing tactics can make it easy for students to sign on the dotted line without reading the fine print.

Naïve decisions can lead to costly mistakes. Many students, already facing a pile of student loans upon graduation, enter the work force with a hefty credit card debt.

But by using some common sense, students can avoid a costly headache.

To begin, bypass the freebies. Credit card companies aren't giving students free items out of the kindness of their hearts. They're in business to make money, and they are counting on your interest payments to cover the T-shirt on your back — and a whole lot more.

Don't open an account at every store. Just because you might want that American Eagle Outfitters sweater, don't feel you need to open a charge account with a store just because it offers you 10 percent off your purchase. Offers such as these often only promote impulse buying and can prompt students to buy items they don't really need and can't afford.

Sticking with one or two credit cards that you can use anywhere is a safer bet. The more plastic you have, the more bills there will be arriving in the mail and the harder it is to keep track of a growing debt.

Also, by reading the fine print, you will know exactly what you are getting into. Find out if the 2-percent interest rate skyrockets to 19 percent after the first month. Keep reading to see if cash advances warrant an extra interest rate or whether or not there is an annual rate just to hold the card.

And don't be afraid to ask questions of that domineering salesperson. Ask the tough questions and make sure you are fully informed before you put pen to paper.

If you feel that the salesperson is not being honest or up front about the credit card they are pushing, then chances are, the company won't be straightforward either.

Spending money is an unavoidable part of the college experience. Avoiding using credit cards when you can pay for something in cash, with a check or with a debit card can be helpful in the long run.

By spending the money you know you have and saving credit cards for emergencies, you will always know where you stand financially.