


These loans are used to pay unsecured debt, which may include credit card bills, medical expenses, and/or payday loans. Take out a debt consolidation personal loanĪs with a credit card, a personal loan allows you to funnel multiple sources of debt into a single source-often with a lower interest rate than a credit card. In this strategy, you combine multiple debts into a single new one, such as a credit card-preferably with a lower, fixed interest rate. If your monthly payments are unmanageable or pay-off periods are unwieldy, you may want to consider a debt consolidation strategy. Consolidate onto a low, fixed-rate credit card that allows balance transfers If you don’t maintain minimum payments, you could face late fees and your credit score could be impacted. Note that in each strategy, you must maintain monthly minimums on all other sources of debt while making payments larger than the minimum on one. This strategy may save you money in the long run however, it may not come with the sense of accomplishment that the debt snowball approach does since it may take longer to pay off each account. Once the first high-interest-rate balance is paid, these monies can be rolled into the account with the second highest interest rate until you’ve paid off all your debt. Researchers from Northwestern University found that consumers using this approach are likelier to eliminate their overall debt.ĭebt Avalanche: In this approach, instead of focusing on the smallest balances, you’ll focus on paying off the debt with the highest interest rate first. This approach doesn’t save you the money you’re spending on debt on high interest rates however, some people find the strategy motivating. Once the smallest debt is paid off, those funds “snowball” into paying the next smallest debt until all creditors are satisfied. The Debt Snowball: Coined by personal finance guru Dave Ramsey, the debt snowball method prescribes paying off the smallest debt first. There are two primary approaches to debt repayment: You may also be able to lower your interest rates for other types of loan by bundling services or setting up automatic payments. Some credit card companies may be willing to waive annual fees or to lower interest rates-you just have to ask. Don’t allow yourself to accumulate debt with one easy click. Then, remove all your credit card information from online platforms, whether that’s your Amazon account or Google forms. The time you take finding them may prevent an impulse purchase. For example, take your credit cards out of your wallet and put them somewhere inconvenient. So is sticking to your budget once you’ve made it. To make sure you’re living within your means, budgeting is essential. However, you’re never going to pay off your debt if you keep accumulating it. If you’re accustomed to financing your lifestyle with debt, particularly in the form of credit cards, then halting spending can be difficult. This recommendation is both the most obvious and the most difficult to execute. If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to conquer your debt once and for all, here are five ways to pay it off. Debt can become a financial burden and can cost you in the long run. This is particularly true if you’ve encountered medical emergencies, job loss, or other financial hardships, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. Experian’s 2019 Consumer Debt Study found that consumers’ debt totals up to $14.1 trillion, with Americans holding an average of $90,460 in debt.īetween revolving debt, such as credit cards housing-related debt, like a mortgage and loans, such as student loans, debt can add up quickly and easily. Living with debt has become an American way of life 80% of households hold some sort of debt. Feeling the weight of all your debt-related bills? You’re not alone.
