How to Pay Off Your Credit Card Debt in 3 Simple Steps
This article was last updated on 3/30/22.
There are many ways to tackle and eliminate credit card debt. Selecting a strategy that works for you depends on varying factors, like the amount of debt and credit card history. Check out these 3 simple steps (start, stop & keep) to say goodbye to credit card debt for good.
Ok, we know what you’re thinking: tackling credit card debt? In this economy?
It’s all too easy to find yourself swimming in credit card debt these days, especially given the challenging financial landscape that has left many in the US jobless or underemployed. Plus, after a year of being cooped up at home and rising interest rates, the impulse to self-soothe with a little retail therapy is all too real.
But there are good reasons to get your credit card habit under control: debt can affect your mental health and even your personal relationships. So, instead of letting it hold you back, we want to empower you with real ways to address it.
It takes time, determination and commitment to defeat your debt—but we have no doubt that you can do this. We’ve created a simple credit counseling framework: habits to stop, habits to start, and habits to continue so that you can set yourself up for a debt-free future. Read on to learn how to kick debt to the curb and develop healthy financial habits and debt management to carry with you forever.
Step 1: stop accumulating debt on your credit card
If you’re stressed about your credit card debt, first know that you are not alone. A May 2020 poll from creditcard.com shows that 47% of U.S. adults currently carry some amount of credit card debt.
Whether you are struggling to balance bill payments with unexpected expenses, have revolving debt, or simply have an online shopping habit that needs some reigning in, it’s important know that there’s no shame in recognizing the problem. After all, that’s the first step towards making a positive change.
Here are a few common (and avoidable!) reasons why people tend to fall into credit card debt.
1. You charge more to your credit cards than you can feasibly pay off.
On a day-to-day basis, you may be charging more to your credit card than you can reasonably expect to pay off which can lead to a “debt snowball” or a “debt avalanche.” If you accrue debt from other large, unexpected purchases (more on that below) on top of your day-to-day spending, your debt will continue to grow unless you take actionable steps to pay it off.
2. You don’t have an emergency fund to pay off unexpected credit card debt.
For many people, a single medical bill or unexpected car repair can sink them deep into debt. While sometimes putting the bill on a credit card may seem like the only option, it should be a last resort: doing so means accruing monthly interest on top of the original amount. Instead, aim to set aside a small amount each month so that you’re ready for any emergency expenses that come your way.
3. Your approach to budgeting needs a refresh.
If you aren’t budgeting properly to begin with, then you are likely to continuously overextend your finances and in turn, grapple with credit card debt. In addition to your day-to-day cash flow, make sure you work a pay-off plan for larger expenses into your budget. Deferring debt repayment instead of facing it head-on is a common way to dig yourself a deeper hole.
Step 2: start paying off credit card debt
Taking down your credit card debt is very similar to how you would handle paying off any other kind of debt, from student loans to a mortgage. But let’s get specific: here are the steps you can take to pay off your credit card debt for good.
1. Assess your spending habits and make a debt repayment plan.
Take a long, hard look at your current outstanding debt and expenses alongside your daily, weekly, and monthly spending. After making a realistic assessment of how those stack up against your income, you’ll want to do two things: adjust your monthly spending, and put together a plan to pay off your credit card debt.
When it comes to the latter, there are two main strategies to consider:
The snowball method: Start by paying off your smallest debt amounts first with the lowest interest rates. Once you pay the smallest balance first, you work your way up to the larger debts. The snowball method takes a little bit longer, but tends to feel more rewarding.
The avalanche method: This method is quite the opposite. With an avalanche plan, you start by paying off the cards with a high interest rates and then work your way to the smaller ones. The avalanche method tends to be quicker, but may not give you quite the same dopamine hit in the short term that you’ll get with the snowball method.
2. Pay off more than the card minimum payment each month…
When you’re overwhelmed by debt, it can be tempting to pay off the minimum payment each month and move on with your life. But this approach will actually keep you in debt for longer, as interest continues to accrue on your remaining balance. If you are able to put even a few extra dollars each month towards your repayment, not only will you pay off your debt faster—you’ll also save yourself the temptation of spending that extra cash on non-essentials while fostering a good credit score!
3. …and always pay your credit cards on time.
At the risk of repeating ourselves: always pay your credit card on time. If you push off a payment, you’ll face the daunting task the next month of catching up with your payment along with whatever late fee your credit provider charges. To avoid missing a payment or racking up any late fees, you can set up an automatic payment each month.
4. Talk to your credit card issuer.
If you’re really struggling to keep afloat, get in touch with your credit card issuer about your current circumstances. Some creditors have hardship programs where they can offer lower interest rates or waive fees if you are facing bankruptcy, unemployment, or a major illness. Explore debt consolidation loan and debt settlement programs as well by contacting your credit card company.
Step 3: keep developing healthy financial habits
Once you’ve successfully paid down your debt, you’ve got to continue the hard work to keep it that way. Here are some of our final tips and tricks to continue your good habits.
1. Cut down on the total number of credit cards you use.
It’s best not to tempt yourself with multiple credit cards to work with. Minimize the number of cards you have to help rein in your self-control and avoid overspending.
2. Build up your emergency savings.
You never truly know when an emergency can happen, so it’s important to set a small amount of each paycheck aside for a “safety net” savings account. Start small, and build your way up so you always have extra money set aside.
3. Don’t rely on balance transfers.
Transferring your balance to a 0% interest card can be a great idea if you do it extremely sparingly. Don’t get too comfortable with transferring balances in an effort to outrun your debt, though—the transfer fees will catch up to you.
4. Keep your debt to credit ratio low.
Essentially, don’t max out your credit card each month. According to CNBC, “Lenders and creditors generally prefer to see a credit utilization rate of under 30%, and it’s even better to shoot for the lowest percentage possible (less than 10%) to get the best credit score.”
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Zip’s editorial content is not written by a financial advisor. It’s intended for informational purposes and should not be considered legal or financial advice. Consult a professional to learn what financial products are right for you.
Nicole Bustamante is a writer and journalist passionate about storytelling and the art of fashion. She has written for The Zoe Report, Angeleno Magazine, Modern Luxury Interiors California, and more in addition to writing for her personal blog.
