Shoppers' spending on credit cards fell during the first six months of 2006, according to an industry survey.
UK credit card spending was £58.4bn, the Association of Payment Clearing Services (Apacs) said - down from £60.6bn during the first half of 2005.
Apacs said the figures suggested that consumers were keeping a "tighter control" of their finances.
However, spending on debit cards rose during the same period to £92.5bn, from £88.8bn at the same time last year.
Evidence that shoppers are spending less on credit cards - but more on debit cards - tallies with other economic indicators.
Bank of England figures have shown that consumers are increasingly paying back their credit card debt.
"There is a continuing trend to pay more frequently by debit card," said Apacs spokeswoman Sandra Quinn.
"This could reflect the fact that as a nation we are keeping tighter control over our finances."
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