Credit card debt can interfere with your ability to meet other financial obligations in your life. If ignored, a seemingly minor issue could have detrimental consequences that destroy your credit.
Using a credit card has a lot of great benefits. However, using one responsibly requires you to make timely payments. Here are some tips to consider if you want to take back control of your credit cards.
Prioritize highest APR
The annual percentage rate of each of your credit cards is the amount of interest you pay. Cards with a higher APR will cost you more money in the long run. If you have more than one credit card with an outstanding balance, prioritize payments in order of highest APR. If possible, make full payments on the card with the highest APR but continue to make smaller payments on your other cards too.
Refigure your budget
Now would be a good time to refigure your budget. Adopt the mindset that you will not use your credit card to pay for anything you do not have the cash to cover in your bank account. Find creative ways to make extra money you can put toward paying off your debt. Cut back spending where you can and accept a conservative lifestyle until you can regain control of your finances.
Consolidate your debt
Another option for paying down what you owe is to consider debt consolidation. According to CNN, some benefits of debt consolidation include the simplicity of a single payment, as well as the reassurance of knowing exactly when you will pay off your debt.
As a last resort, you might also consider filing for bankruptcy as an option to resolve outstanding debts. If you choose this option, it is against the law for creditors to badger you for payment. Knowing some strategies for paying down credit card debt will provide you with the knowledge you need to make an informed decision.
