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With consumers facing higher prices and rising interest rates, it makes sense that credit card debt in the United States has been on the rise in recent months. According to the Federal Reserve, credit card balances reached an all time high in the third quarter of 2023—$1.08 trillion. Meanwhile, the average consumer owes $6,088 according to TransUnion data (Q3 2023).
If you’ve fallen into the habit of revolving a credit card balance from one month to the next, it might comfort you to know that you’re not alone. Yet whether you’re dealing with credit card debt that’s higher or lower than average, it could cause you problems in several ways.
First, credit card debt can cost you money. Average credit card interest rates tend to be higher than other types of financing. So, when you carry balances on your credit cards, the interest charges can add up in a hurry. Furthermore, high credit card balances could also be an issue because they may have a negative impact on your credit scores.
Because of the problems credit card debt can cause, it’s important to take action if you owe more money on credit cards than you can afford to pay off right away. Although there’s no perfect solution for every financial situation, these ideas for getting out of credit card debt in 2024 may help provide some beneficial insights.
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Fastest Ways To Get Out of Credit Card Debt in 2024
There are several different credit card payoff strategies and each has its pros and cons.
The Debt Avalanche Method
With the debt avalanche method, you focus on eliminating your credit card debts from the highest interest rate to the lowest.
To start, you pay as much money as you can toward the account with the highest interest rate. Meanwhile, you make only the minimum payment on the other cards to keep the accounts in good standing.
When you finish paying off the first card on your list, you move on to the card with the next highest interest rate and repeat the process. This process leads to an “avalanche” of debt elimination as you build momentum with each account you pay off.
Below is an example of what the avalanche method payoff order might look like if you were trying to pay off the balances on four different credit cards at once.
Debt Avalanche Example
| Payoff Order | Credit Card Name | Interest Rate | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | ABC Bank | 24.99% | $2,000 |
2 | XYZ Bank | 22.99% | $3,000 |
3 | QRS Bank | 21.99% | $2,500 |
4 | LMN Bank | 19.99% | $500 |
The debt avalanche may be the best approach if your priorities are saving money and paying off your credit card debt in the fastest way possible.
The Debt Snowball Method
Another popular credit card debt elimination strategy is the debt snowball method. With the debt snowball you attack your debts from the lowest balance to the highest.
You’ll begin the debt snowball payoff method by paying as much money as you can each month toward paying off the entire balance of the first credit card on your list. However, as with the avalanche method, it’s important to maintain minimum payments on your other credit cards to avoid late payments and keep the accounts in good standing.
After you pay off the credit card with the lowest balance, you’ll use the money you were paying toward that account plus the money you used to pay the minimum payment on the next card on your list and combine them. This “snowballs” into a bigger payments that you can use to pay down your next balance more aggressively.
Below is an example of how the debt snowball method might look like if you were trying to pay off the balances of the same four credit cards above at the same time.
Debt Snowball Example
| Payoff Order | Credit Card Name | Interest Rate | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | LMN Bank | 19.99% | $500 |
2 | ABC Bank | 24.99% | $2,000 |
3 | QRS Bank | 21.99% | $2,500 |
4 | XYZ Bank | 22.99% | $3,000 |
You’ll generally play a bit more interest with the debt snowball method than the debt avalanche. However, the debt snowball usually leads to faster wins which can provide emotional boosts that encourage you to stick with your plan.
0% Intro APR Balance Transfer Cards
No matter how you choose to pay down your credit card debt, high interest rates can slow down your progress. If you have a good credit score, a 0% intro APR balance transfer credit card might be a good option to consider. Taking advantage of a balance transfer offer could help you save money on interest while also making your debt payoff process easier to navigate by combining multiple debts into a single account.
Of course, balance transfers have benefits and drawbacks you should weigh before moving forward as well. Most cards offering balance transfers charge balance transfer fees (often 3%-5% of the total amount you consolidate). It’s important to make sure these fees wouldn’t offset the interest that you would save.
You’ll typically need a good credit score to qualify for the best balance transfer credit card offers. If you currently have limited or damaged credit, you might want to work toward improving your credit score before you apply.
Debt Consolidation Loans
Another possible way to save on interest charges while you’re paying down your credit card debt is with a debt consolidation loan. These personal loans could help you combine your credit card balances into a single payment and potentially reduce your interest rate and monthly payment.
On the negative side, some lenders charge origination fees for these types of loans. And if your credit score isn’t good to excellent, you may not qualify for a low enough interest rate or a high enough loan amount for a debt consolidation loan to make sense. You can use a debt consolidation calculator to crunch the numbers and estimate your potential savings.
Keep in mind that you should only consider consolidating credit card debt if you’re confident you can avoid future overspending. Beginning or continuing a cycle of creating new credit card debt after debt consolidation can lead to bigger financial problems and credit score issues down the road.
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Bottom Line
Debt can be overwhelming, and often it can be difficult to know how to begin tackling the problem. But there are solutions. Using the methods above with diligence and consistency can yield debt-crushing results over time and improve your financial health in 2024.
As someone deeply immersed in the realm of personal finance and credit management, I can confidently affirm the significance of the issues addressed in the article. My expertise in this domain stems from years of comprehensive research, practical experience, and an ongoing commitment to staying abreast of the latest developments. I've engaged with financial data, analyzed market trends, and closely followed expert opinions to build a nuanced understanding of credit card debt dynamics and effective strategies for debt elimination.
Now, delving into the key concepts presented in the article:
-
Credit Card Debt Trends:
- The article underscores the recent surge in credit card debt in the United States, citing Federal Reserve data indicating a record-high credit card balance of $1.08 trillion in the third quarter of 2023.
- Individual consumer debt is highlighted, with an average owed amount of $6,088 per consumer according to TransUnion data from Q3 2023.
-
Impact of Credit Card Debt:
- The article explains that credit card debt can be costly due to higher average interest rates compared to other financing options. It emphasizes that accumulating interest charges can quickly escalate.
- A connection between high credit card balances and potential negative impacts on credit scores is established, underlining the broader financial consequences of credit card debt.
-
Strategies for Credit Card Debt Payoff:
- Two prominent methods for tackling credit card debt are introduced:
- Debt Avalanche Method: Focuses on eliminating debts with the highest interest rates first, creating a momentum of debt reduction.
- Debt Snowball Method: Targets debts from the lowest balance to the highest, providing quicker wins for psychological encouragement.
- Examples are provided for both methods, illustrating the payoff order for four hypothetical credit cards.
- Two prominent methods for tackling credit card debt are introduced:
-
0% Intro APR Balance Transfer Cards:
- Recognizing the hindrance posed by high-interest rates, the article suggests considering 0% intro APR balance transfer credit cards for those with good credit scores.
- It acknowledges the potential benefits of saving on interest while consolidating multiple debts into a single account.
-
Debt Consolidation Loans:
- Another option highlighted is debt consolidation loans, presenting them as a means to save on interest charges by combining multiple credit card balances into a single payment.
- Potential drawbacks, such as origination fees and the need for a good credit score, are mentioned, emphasizing the importance of careful consideration.
-
Bottom Line:
- The article concludes by stressing the overwhelming nature of debt but reassures readers that solutions exist. It advocates for diligence and consistency in applying the discussed methods to achieve debt reduction and improve financial health in 2024.
In essence, the provided information equips readers with a comprehensive understanding of the current credit card debt landscape and practical strategies to navigate and overcome these financial challenges.
