NEW YORK -- Bankrate, Inc. published the findings of a national poll which determined 61 percent of Americans carry non-mortgage debt. Of the respondents, sixty-four percent admitted debt is a cause of worry for them.

Key poll findings include:

-- Americans have conflicting attitudes about debt. While 91 percent believe debt can be controlled by disciplined saving and spending, 72 percent also believe that debt is a part of modern life and difficult to avoid.

-- 66 percent of Americans say debt is often the result of unfortunate circumstances beyond a person's control, while 60 percent say it is usually the result of bad decisions.

-- Credit cards are the most frequently cited form of debt (45 percent).

-- Higher income levels tend to carry debt month-to-month. For example, 75 percent of those with annual incomes of at least $75,000 regularly carry debt month-to month as opposed to only 36 percent of those with annual incomes under $20,000.

-- Men worry less than women about the debt they carry (40 percent vs. 30 percent).

"Worrying about your debt can get overwhelming," said Julie Bandy, editor in chief of Bankrate.com.

Bankrate offers consumers six steps to eliminating debt:

1) Know where you stand - Look honestly at how much you owe.
2) Create a plan - Take a short self-inventory to determine the appropriate repayment plan.
3) Set aside some savings - Consumers should have at least 3 months worth of living expenses in a savings account.
4) Pay more than the minimum each month - By only paying the minimum, compound interest adds up, making it harder to pay off the principal amount.
5) Improve your terms - Creditors may waive fees, reduce interest rates or agree to more flexible terms
6) Seek counsel - A credit counselor can get you on a budget or refer you to other options