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9 Tips for Paying Off Your Credit Card Debt (by NerdWallet)

Credit Card Debt
Nine proven ways to climb out of debt

Buried in credit card debt? You’re not alone — and there are no magical solutions. Here are nine practical tips from NerdWallet to help you climb out, one balance at a time.

Buried in credit card debt? You’re not alone. According to NerdWallet, in 2015 the average U.S. household had $15,762 in credit card debt at an average 18% interest rate. Annual interest alone was $2,630, or more than $50 a week.

Here are nine tips on how to climb out. Remember, though, there are no magical solutions.

1 Stop Spending More Than You Make

Tell yourself the truth. Analyze your bills to see where your money is going. Car payments, rent or mortgage, groceries and utilities are essentials; nearly everything else is subject to elimination or reduction. And don’t forget those $100 withdrawals from the ATM. Create a realistic budget and declare allegiance to it. Concentrate on the little things; just knocking off a $4 latte on the way to work can save $80 a month.

2 Keep Paying on the Cards

Failing to pay every month on every card just makes matters worse: The interest goes up and the debt goes up. Always pay at least the minimum listed on the bill. Not doing so may ruin your credit rating, making it harder to borrow money for essentials, such as a car, in the future.

3 Concentrate on Paying Off Your Smallest Debt

The typical American has about four credit cards, so try pounding away at the one with the least debt. After you pay it in full, stop using it and apply the monthly payment to the next smallest bill. This “snowball effect” is a slow cure but leaves you with a feeling of accomplishment. This method, however, may cost you more in the long run, so read on.

4 Pay Off the Card With the Highest Interest

Pretty basic math here. Eliminating debt that costs you 28% is better than killing debt that costs you 18%. Try throwing your entire income tax refund or last month’s overtime pay at this bill. Then move on to the account with the next highest interest rate.

5 Consolidate Onto a Lower-Interest Card

This can save you a ton in interest, especially if you eliminate all your other cards. Cards are available that will charge you 0% interest on the debt you have transferred. However, this rate goes up after a specified time, usually 12 to 18 months. In addition, the issuer usually charges a fee — 3% is typical — on the transferred debt. Still, this can be a great deal if you can substantially reduce your debt in a relatively short time.

6 Take Out a Personal Loan

Many lenders, including credit unions and banks, offer unsecured personal loans, meaning you don’t have to use your home or car as collateral. However, everything depends on your credit score. Below 620, interest rates will be high, although perhaps still below the rates on the credit cards it will be replacing. It’s worth shopping for.

7 Try a Home Equity Loan

This loan, tapping the difference between the sale value of your home and money you still owe on it, also is based on your credit rating, as are home equity lines of credit. In addition, you could lose your home if you default. Consider with caution.

8 Cut a Deal With the Credit Card Company

This might be a long shot, but if you have a good credit history with the company and clearly have just fallen on hard times, it might negotiate with you on a lower interest rate. Like any other company, it wants to retain good customers.

9 Declare Bankruptcy

This is the nuclear option. Yes, Chapter 7 bankruptcy will eliminate all your credit card debt and leave your home protected from repossession. However, it will be nearly impossible to get a mortgage for five years, and the filing will haunt you for up to a decade if you hope to finance anything at a reasonable rate.

© Copyright 2016 NerdWallet, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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Frequently Asked Questions

What was the average U.S. household credit card debt in 2015?

According to NerdWallet, in 2015 the average U.S. household carried $15,762 in credit card debt at an average 18% interest rate. That meant annual interest alone came to $2,630, or more than $50 a week. Those figures show how quickly interest can pile up and why having a clear plan to pay down balances matters.

What is the snowball effect for paying off debt?

The snowball effect means concentrating on the credit card with the smallest debt first. After you pay it off in full, you stop using it and apply that monthly payment to the next smallest bill. It is a slow cure but leaves you with a feeling of accomplishment, though it may cost you more in the long run than targeting the highest-interest balance.

Should I pay off the smallest balance or the highest-interest card first?

Both approaches work. Paying off your smallest balance first builds momentum and a sense of accomplishment, but it may cost more over time. Paying off the card with the highest interest first is basic math: eliminating debt that costs 28% beats killing debt that costs 18%. Try throwing an income tax refund or overtime pay at the highest-rate bill.

How does a balance-transfer card help with credit card debt?

Some cards charge 0% interest on debt you transfer, which can save you a ton in interest, especially if you eliminate your other cards. The promotional rate usually rises after 12 to 18 months, and the issuer typically charges a fee of about 3% on the transferred debt. It can still be a great deal if you reduce your debt substantially in a short time.

What are the risks of declaring bankruptcy to clear credit card debt?

Bankruptcy is the nuclear option. Chapter 7 will eliminate all your credit card debt and leave your home protected from repossession. However, it will be nearly impossible to get a mortgage for five years, and the filing will haunt you for up to a decade if you hope to finance anything at a reasonable rate.

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9 Tips for Paying Off Your Credit Card Debt (by NerdWallet) page context

9 Tips for Paying Off Your Credit Card Debt (by NerdWallet) is a Billshark page. It can help you with your bills and your choices, and it can show you how to save.

Drowning in credit card debt? Use these 9 NerdWallet tips, from budgeting and the debt snowball to balance transfers, to pay off your cards faster.

Use this page to learn about Billshark. Then go to the part of the site that fits what you need. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time.

We share this page to help you make sense of your monthly bills, your choices, and what to do next. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.

This page links you to more help from Billshark. Use it when you want more detail or a clear next step. You can save a lot over time.

Got a question about a bill you pay each month? This page can help you find the best answer. Read on to learn more. Small steps add up.

Read each part of this page at your own pace. If you need more help, go on to a guide on your topic. It is free to read. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.

We put facts and tips in one place. This makes it easy to learn about the bills you pay at home. We are here to help. It only takes a few minutes.

This page can help with real questions. You can learn about your plan, your account, and what you pay each month. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time.

Use the menu and the links to go from a big question to the facts that fit your own needs. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.

We keep things short and clear so you can choose well. You can then read more if you want to. It only takes a few minutes. You are in the right place.

The links on this page help you weigh your choices. They also help you see what you pay and what to do next. You can save a lot over time.

Our goal is to help you spot the bills you pay each month. We also share smart ways to keep them low. Ask us if you get stuck. Read on to learn more.

Come back to this page when you have a new question. It will still be here to help with bills and savings. You are in the right place. It is free to read.

We link the small choices you make each day to the big picture. That means your budget and what you spend at home. We make it easy for you.

Each part of this page helps you see what you need. It may be help with a plan, your account, or a good read. Read on to learn more. Small steps add up.

Use what you learn here to plan your questions. Look at your choices, then take the next step when you are ready. It is free to read. Keep this page handy.

Our pages link to each other. That way, you can find more help and still keep track of what you came for. We are here to help. It only takes a few minutes.

This page makes it easy to find the key facts first. Then you can pick a plan or make a change with less stress. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time.

Good facts help you see why a bill went up. They also show you what to check before you call or reply. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.

This page puts the key facts in one place. It can help you talk with a company about your bills and how to save. It only takes a few minutes. You are in the right place.

Our other pages explain the words you see on a bill. They also help you weigh the pros and cons of each plan. You can save a lot over time. We make it easy for you.

Our tips focus on real choices you can make. Start with the basics, then read a more detailed guide if you need one. Ask us if you get stuck. Read on to learn more.

This page is one of many that we share. Together they cover home costs, the firms you pay, and how to get help. You are in the right place. It is free to read.

Take your time and read this page first. It helps you see your choices and find out what to read next. We make it easy for you. We are here to help. It only takes a few minutes.

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We laid out this page to help you get the facts and compare them. You can then choose your next step with ease. It is free to read. Keep this page handy.

Buried in credit card debt?.

Here are nine tips on how to climb out.

Tell yourself the truth.

Failing to pay every month on every card just makes matters worse: The interest goes up and the debt goes up.

The typical American has about four credit cards , so try pounding away at the one with the least debt.

Pretty basic math here.

This can save you a ton in interest , especially if you eliminate all your other cards.

Many lenders , including credit unions and banks, offer unsecured personal loans, meaning you don’t have to use your home or car as collateral.

This loan, tapping the difference between the sale value of your home and money you still owe on it, also is based on your credit rating, as are home equity lines of credit.

This might be a long shot.

This is the nuclear option.

© Copyright 2016 NerdWallet , Inc.

According to NerdWallet, in 2015 the average U.S.

The snowball effect means concentrating on the credit card with the smallest debt first.

Both approaches work.

Some cards charge 0% interest on debt you transfer, which can save you a ton in interest, especially if you eliminate your other cards.

Bankruptcy is the nuclear option.

Billshark negotiates your bills for you — no savings, no fee.

Billshark helps lower internet, wireless, cable, satellite radio, and other monthly bills.

Our experts handle providers for customers and share updates throughout the process.

Customers pay only when Billshark finds savings on eligible bills.

1 Stop Spending More Than You Make.

2 Keep Paying on the Cards.

3 Concentrate on Paying Off Your Smallest Debt.

4 Pay Off the Card With the Highest Interest.

5 Consolidate Onto a Lower-Interest Card.

6 Take Out a Personal Loan.

7 Try a Home Equity Loan.

8 Cut a Deal With the Credit Card Company.

9 Declare Bankruptcy.

Frequently Asked Questions.

What was the average U.S.

What is the snowball effect for paying off debt?.

Should I pay off the smallest balance or the highest-interest card first?.

just hired Billshark to lower their bill.