How to reduce your credit card debt

In 2016, over 167 million Americans owned at least one credit card and contributed to the $764 billion worth of national debt that has been accruing interest steadily. It’s no surprise that the average household carries around $16,000. The question is — how do we begin to pay back our debts or just avoid it altogether?

7 ways to reduce your credit card debt

If you find yourself burdened with an outstanding credit card balance and interest charges building each month, consider the following strategies for clearing your debt.

1. Make regular repayments and pay more than the minimum

Budget your monthly expenses, see what you can put towards your repayments and stick to a plan that is comfortable for you. Always try to pay more than the minimum so you can avoid the extra interest and get out of debt a bit earlier. Pro tip: setting up an automatic debit to transfer that amount to your credit card account on a recurring date each month will help ensure that you stay on track.

2. Repay the debt with the highest interest rate

Paying off the account with the highest interest rate first could represent significant savings — the interest saved could be used to repay the rest of your debt sooner. Once you’ve paid that account off, close it to avoid further charges and move on to the account with the next highest interest rate.

3. Apply for a credit card with a 0% balance transfer offer

0% balance transfer credit cards let you transfer your existing debt onto a new credit card with the benefit of paying no interest for an introductory period. It’s important to repay your balance transfer amount within the introductory period since the interest rate will typically revert to a higher interest rate.

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Name	Product	Amount saved	Balance transfer APR	Balance transfer fee	Recommended minimum credit score	Filter values
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card			0% intro for the first 18 months (then 14.74% to 24.74% variable)	$5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater	740		Long 18 months intro APR periods on purchases and balance transfers. Plus Citi Entertainment℠ for deals on dining and going out.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Citi® Double Cash Card			0% intro for the first 18 months (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable)	$5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater	740		This one of the most valuable flat cashback cards. It comes with 2% cash back (1% when you buy plus 1% when you pay) and 18 months to pay off transfers.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Luxury Card Mastercard® Titanium Card™			0% intro for the first 15 billing cycles (then 14.99% variable)	$5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater	700		Enjoy unique excursions, privileged access to exclusive events and insider opportunities.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
TD Cash Credit Card			0% intro for the first 15 billing cycles (then 12.99%, 17.99% or 22.99% variable)	$5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater	680		3% on dining and 2% on groceries make this a valuable card for food purchases. Use it while traveling, too, with no foreign transaction fees. Available in: CT, DC, DE, FL, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, SC, VA, VT	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
CardMatch™ from creditcards.com			See issuer's website		300		Use the CardMatch tool to find cards you're likely to qualify for with your credit score, without a hard pull on your credit.	See offer View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Luxury Card Mastercard® Black Card™			0% intro for the first 15 billing cycles (then 14.99% variable)	$5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater	700		Receive an annual $100 air travel credit toward flight-related purchases including airline tickets, baggage fees, upgrades and more.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Charity Charge World Mastercard® Credit Card			1.99% intro for the first 6 monthly billing cycles (then 16.24% to 22.24% variable)	$10 or 5% of the transaction, whichever is greater	670		1% cash back to the nonprofits, K-12 schools, colleges and religious organizations of your choice.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Luxury Card Mastercard® Gold Card™			0% intro for the first 15 billing cycles (then 14.99% variable)	$5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater	740		Earn 2% point value when redeemed for airfare or cash back through the Luxury rewards program.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Citi Rewards+℠ Card			0% intro for the first 15 months (then 13.49% to 23.49% variable)	$5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater	740		Get rewards on gas and groceries with no annual fee. Ideal for everyday use, it's the only card that rounds purchases up to the nearest 10 points.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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4. Consolidate your debt with a personal loan

A debt consolidation loan can offer substantial savings on interest payments compared to a credit card. It also often allows a longer term to pay back your debt. When considering a personal loan, factor in related costs such as application, establishment, monthly or yearly fees.

5. Refinance your home loan

While this may sound drastic, refinancing your home loan can offer with it several perks. Refinancing generally gives you access to lower interest rates when you take on a new lender’s deal. Carefully weigh up the pros and cons of this option though, because you’ll essentially be moving your credit card debt onto your home loan, which means stretching your debt over more years.

6. Discuss your options with your bank

By having a chat with your bank, you may be able to negotiate a more comfortable payment plan. You could be approved for an interest reduction or a short payment hiatus, which could help you catch up on your repayments.

7. Look into financial counseling

Financial counseling does not have to be expensive and you can even receive help for managing your debts. Obtaining professional financial and legal advice for your personal situation can sometimes be the first step towards debt freedom. You will be given personalized advice on how to consolidate your debts, manage creditors and protect your credit rating.

How to avoid credit card debt

To prevent falling into debt, the following tips can help you keep your credit card under control:

• 0% purchase credit card. Get a credit card that offers 0% interest on purchases. This will allow you to make purchases and repay them without accruing any additional interest for a promotional period of up to 24 months.
• Pay more than the minimum. Making only minimum repayments on your credit card balance typically means that you’re only paying 2.5% of your statement balance. At that rate, it might take you years to repay even a modest balance.
• Stick to a budget. Create a budget for your expenses each month and schedule a payment plan to have your debts covered. Set up automatic debits to ensure that payments are made regularly.
• Move your statement due date. By making sure your statement due date is just after payday, you’ll definitely have the funds to repay your credit card bill on time.
• Identify why you first fell into debt. Was it overspending, high interest rates or a combination of the two? Try working with a budget or get a card with a lower interest rate.
• Take measures to curb your spending. Creating a monthly budget should help curb expenditure, but you could also consider reducing your card’s credit limit as a stronger preventive for overspending.
• Stop using your credit cards. If your spending problem requires more than monthly budgeting and occasionally leaving your credit card at home, consider cancelling your cards altogether. Prepaid credit cards and cash are surefire ways to avoid debt.

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