5 Smart Ways To Get Out Of Credit Card Debt In 2022

According to this report, the average credit card debt in the US is $5,221. Credit card debt can spiral out of control, wreaking havoc on your finances and credit score. You can significantly reduce your credit card debt burden by becoming acquainted with debt-reduction strategies and breaking your approach into several steps. Here's how to get started:

1. Make timely payments

Most people nowadays have multiple credit cards, and it's natural to get confused about bill payment deadlines, leading them into a debt trap before they realize it. Late payments can lead to increased interest rates. Credit card companies can raise your interest rate if you are more than 60 days late on a payment. Paying your credit card bill on time keeps you from incurring a higher interest rate. If you pay on time for six months, the penalty rate may be reduced. You can also avoid costly late fees by sending your credit card payment on time.

When you miss a credit card, your next minimum payment will be double what it would have if you hadn't cut it. Your next credit card payment will include the minimum amount and a late fee. If you're having trouble making your credit card payment, putting it off won't help.

2. Calculate and settle your credit card debt

You can use our free debt pay-off calculator to determine when you will be debt-free. You can figure out how much you can save with a debt settlement program or if you settle your debts on your own. With this tool, you can figure out the best way to get out of debt.

3. Negotiate with creditor

A debt settlement offer letter is a written request to your credit card company from you to forgive your remaining debt in exchange for a smaller lump sum amount. Because the proposal in your debt settlement is a legal contract offer, precise language is required.

A debt settlement letter includes a proposal that should pave the way for negotiations on a fair and reasonable debt settlement. You can use this letter to negotiate with the original creditor, a collection agency, or a debt buyer.

4. Consult a financial advisor

An advisor is a neutral third party with no emotional stake. This person can easily guide you because their emotions are unattached to the decision. As a result, there is a much lower risk of purchasing items you cannot afford, putting you in a worse position.

Even if you don't sign up for a debt management plan, a financial advisor can help you make a budget and advise you on how to handle your debts. They can help you plan for a budget to put more money towards high-interest credit card debt payments effectively.

You may carry lots of different debts, ranging from low-interest-rate mortgages to credit cards with high-interest rates. After analyzing your debt, a financial advisor can begin to prioritize your debt repayment strategy. The most expensive and overdue accounts are at the top, and the smaller ones are at the bottom. Your credit score decreases with each late payment as you fail to manage delinquent accounts. As the new budget goes into effect, the accounts get updated, and the balances slowly decrease. Your credit score rises, allowing you to renegotiate terms with creditors to lower interest rates.

5. Adopt the OVLG waterfall approach to be debt-free

The waterfall method is meant to help you figure out which option for getting out of debt will help you the most. Credit card debt is common, but everyone's situation is different, so there is no one way to get out of debt. Depending on your current financial situation, you can solve your debt problems by budgeting or considering a debt settlement program. Remember that no matter your finances, you can get debt relief with the right plan.

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Bonus Tips

• Automate your credit card bill payments.
• To avoid impulse purchases, only shop with the amount of cash you believe you will need.
• Use financial windfalls towards debt payments.
• Turn your hobby into a source of extra income.
• Build an emergency fund to pay for unforeseen expenses.

The Bottom Line

It's natural to want to get out of debt as soon as possible, and if you work hard and change your habits, you may be able to do so sooner than you think. But if you have a lot of credit card debt, you should also be honest about what you can do and how quickly you can do it.

Paying off your credit card debt can improve your finances, credit score, and peace of mind. But it does take work. Start paying off your credit cards today using some of the above tips.