There is no doubt that we have a credit card problem. A survey by GoBankRates found that 30% of Americans have debt up to $5,000 on their credit cards, 15% have debt that is over $5,000, and about 6% have debt that is over $10,000. This may seem like a small amount, but based on the survey results, over 14 million Americans have debts of over $10,000.
In addition, 15% of Americans are in credit card debt for over 15 years. Also, nearly half of all Americans have added more credit card debt since March 2020. Even more troubling, 57% of Americans have missed one or more credit card payments — which results in late fees and damages your credit score.
The problem with credit card debt is that it can be financially crippling if you are not responsible for it thanks to the high-interest rates. Thankfully, you can negotiate lower interest rates and pay off credit card debt with these tips:
Take stock of your situation.
Take a minute to evaluate the situation you are in with your credit cards. You should at least know your current credit card terms, including the grace period, statement due date, and current balance.
Why? By preparing in advance, you can make an informed decision regarding your credit card company’s options.
It is also a good idea to check your credit score. This can be used as leverage in negotiations. Since credit card companies know you will pay your balances and what you owe, when you have good credit, you might be able to get a better rate.
I want to add one more thing. If your credit needs to be repaired, you should do it as soon as possible. A better credit score makes you more creditworthy in the eyes of banks.
One of the quickest ways to improve your credit score is to make minimum payments on all your accounts every month. Additionally, you should pay off your outstanding credit card balances before they expire. And, make sure you do not utilize more than 30% of your credit limit.
Find credit cards with competitive interest rates.
In order to keep your business, credit card companies need to keep up with other issuers. As such, check out other credit cards that offer similar interest rates to yours and compare them. From there, you can Inform your issuer that you have found a lower APR card similar to yours.
It is important to keep in mind that the offer should actually be competitive. For example, if you have a bad credit score, you probably won’t get approved for a card with a low APR.
Contact the issuer of your card.
Contact your credit card issuer directly if you wish to obtain a lower interest rate. Again, prepare accordingly by understanding exactly what your issuer requires. During your search for competing lenders, know what your current credit card terms are, including APRs, grace periods, statement due dates, and current balances. There’s no harm in asking, as the saying goes.
Let the representative know if another issuer offers a better deal. You might be able to negotiate better terms when you indicate that you’re considering moving your business elsewhere.
Your interest rate may be lowered if you keep your payments current and have a good credit history with your issuer. A long-term account is more likely to be successful if you stay with it for a long period of time. Also, don’t be afraid to mention that you’ve been banking with your issuer for a long time when you negotiate with them.
Still having problems? You can also use the HUCA method.
The HUCA principle suggests you hang up and call again if you are not satisfied with your initial response. In some cases, more than one customer service representative may be able to accommodate your request.
Request a temporary break if necessary.
If your issuer is not willing to lower rates permanently, ask for a temporary reprieve. During a one-year period, for example, a reduction of one to three percentage points in interest rates. If your credit score has improved recently, mention it to show that you’ll make payments on time in the future.
Additionally, you can request a temporary break while you recover from financial hardships.
Don’t just pay the minimum.
A general rule of thumb is to pay more than the minimum amount if you have the extra funds available. Most minimum payments go toward paying interest and do not significantly reduce the principal balance.
Let’s say you have a $2,500 balance on your credit card and your annual percentage rate is 20%. With regular payments of $50, the original debt will be repaid in over nine years and the interest will amount to $2,920.
It would, however, take about three years to pay off the debt if you paid $100 a month. Even better, you’ll pay around $760 in interest.
Interest is compounded daily according to the average daily balance of your credit card account, which determines the finance charges you accrue. As a result, interest charges increase every day you delay paying.
It might be possible for you to afford to make two payments a month if you are paid bimonthly or every two weeks. Nevertheless, if you’re paid weekly, such as a tipped employee, you might want to consider paying weekly to start managing your debt.
You should pay the minimum balance due on your credit card statement by the due date in order to avoid late fees. And, you may also qualify for a balance transfer credit card easier if you reduce your credit utilization ratio.
Take advantage of 0% APR introductory offers with a new card.
A new credit card with 0% introductory APR may be an option if your debt level is high. The benefits of using this method are that you will not accrue interest on your debt as time goes on.
With balance transfer credit cards, you can transfer a balance from one or more credit cards at a 0% interest rate for 12 to 21 months. As part of this introductory offer, you will be able to pay down your debt without paying interest. Instead of paying interest, your entire monthly payment goes directly to principal repayment.
You will have to pay interest once the regular APR kicks in once the promo period ends. So, be sure to pay down your balance before the promo period ends.
There may be a balance transfer fee of 3% or more if you have a significant amount of debt.
Use a debt consolidation loan.
Consolidating your debt may be a good option when you’re having trouble making your monthly payments. By combining your debts, you can make one monthly payment. Specifically, debt consolidation loans are used to pay off credit cards, medical bills, and other personal loans.
Debt consolidation loan funds are usually deposited into your bank account — minus fees. The funds can then be used to repay your creditors. It is also possible for some lenders to send payments directly to your creditors. After your accounts have been settled, you will only have to pay the monthly interest rate and payments on your debt consolidation loan.
In comparison to personal loans, debt consolidation loans are marketed by many lenders as a different financial product. Both loans offer fixed interest rates and fixed monthly payments. But, the purpose of debt consolidation loans is to pay off a lump sum of debt, whereas personal loans are intended to provide cash for a variety of reasons. Even though debt consolidation and traditional personal loans may offer lower rates, it’s a good idea to compare them.
Due to the strict credit requirements of debt consolidation loans, borrowers with poor credit may have trouble qualifying.
Consult a credit counselor for help.
If you are having trouble managing your debt, a credit counselor might be able to help. In addition to creating a budget and negotiating with creditors, credit counselors can help you develop a payment plan.
You can also create a debt management plan with the help of a credit counseling agency. These agencies will also help you lower your monthly payments in addition to negotiating lower interest rates. Your monthly payment will be divided among your creditors once you have set up a DMP with the credit counseling agency.
Furthermore, a DMP can help you maintain good credit by avoiding late payments and collection calls. You may be given options for improving your credit score and removing negative items from your credit report as part of the plan.
Be fearless in future negotiations.
Due’s founder, John Rampton, has successfully negotiated lower interest rates with credit card companies in the past. His secret? Expect to haggle and don’t throw in the towel after one unsuccessful call.
In his experience, credit card companies are more willing to offer lower rates after you have made consistent payments on your card for six months. Then he requests a lower rate every six months until he receives a “no.”
FAQS
When it comes to paying off credit card debt, what is the best method?
It is impossible to provide a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Depending on your income, expenses, and debt load, you can choose the best way to pay off your credit card debt. There are, however, some general tips to keep in mind:
- Create a budget. You will be able to see where your money is going by tracking your income and expenses.
- Set realistic goals. You don’t need to pay off all your debt at once. Instead, work towards small, attainable goals.
- Avoid using your credit cards. More credit card use leads to more debt.
- Make more than the minimum payments. In order to keep your credit cards from going into default, you only have to make the minimum payments. Making only the minimum payments will result in years of debt and quite a bit of interest.
- Consider debt consolidation. Consolidating your debts can be an excellent option if you are struggling to make your payments due to a large amount of debt. Consolidating your debt into one monthly payment is possible through a debt consolidation loan. You may be able to manage your debt better and your interest rate may decrease as a result.
- Get help from a credit counselor. If you’re having trouble managing your debt, you may benefit from the help of a credit counselor. Creating a budget, negotiating with creditors, and developing a debt repayment plan are all things a credit counselor can help you with.
What is the expected repayment time for my credit card debt?
Debt repayment times will vary depending on your debt amount, your income, and how much you can afford to pay each month. In general, if you make the minimum payments, you’ll be able to pay off your debt in about 7 years. Debt repayment will take less time if you make more than the minimum payments.
What is the savings on interest if I pay off my debt early?
When you pay off your debt early, you’ll save interest based on the amount of debt you have, your interest rate, and your monthly income. You can, however, save hundreds or even thousands of dollars by paying off your debts early.
What are the benefits of paying off my credit card debt?
Your credit card debt can be paid off in a number of ways, including:
- Peace of mind. You’ll be able to relax knowing that you’re debt-free and aren’t spending money on interest when you’re debt-free.
- Improved credit score. You will be able to improve your credit score when you pay off your debts. In the future, loans and other forms of credit will be easier to obtain.
- More money in your pocket. The amount of money you will have in your pocket each month will increase when you’re not paying interest on your credit cards. Savings for retirement, investing in the future, or simply enjoying life can be done with this money.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabey; Pexels: Thank You!
