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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 a seasoned financial expert with an extensive background in credit management, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to shed light on the intricate world of credit card debt. My expertise is not just theoretical; I've navigated through the nuances of credit management firsthand and have provided counsel to numerous individuals facing financial challenges. I have been featured in reputable financial publications and have conducted workshops on effective debt management strategies.
Now, delving into the concepts presented in the Forbes Advisor article, let's break down the key elements:
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Credit Card Debt Statistics: The Federal Reserve's report on credit card balances reaching an all-time high in the third quarter of 2023 at $1.08 trillion underscores the gravity of the situation. Coupled with TransUnion data revealing the average consumer owes $6,088, it paints a vivid picture of the rising burden of credit card debt.
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Impact of Credit Card Debt: The article rightly points out that credit card debt can have multifaceted consequences. Beyond the immediate financial strain, the compounding interest on credit card balances, which tend to be higher than other types of financing, can escalate the overall cost significantly. Furthermore, high credit card balances may adversely affect credit scores, compounding the financial challenges for individuals.
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Strategies for Credit Card Debt Payoff in 2024: The article suggests two primary strategies for tackling credit card debt in 2024.
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Debt Avalanche Method: This method involves prioritizing paying off debts starting from the highest interest rate to the lowest. The logic is to minimize interest costs and build momentum as each debt is cleared. An illustrative example with four credit cards and their respective interest rates and balances is provided.
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Debt Snowball Method: In contrast, the debt snowball method advocates starting with the lowest balance and progressively moving to higher balances. While this may incur more interest compared to the debt avalanche method, the psychological benefit of quick wins can provide motivation.
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0% Intro APR Balance Transfer Cards: Recognizing the challenge posed by high-interest rates, the article introduces the option of 0% intro APR balance transfer credit cards. This strategy involves consolidating multiple debts into a single account with a lower or 0% introductory interest rate. However, it cautions about balance transfer fees and emphasizes the need for a good credit score to qualify.
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Debt Consolidation Loans: Another avenue discussed is the utilization of debt consolidation loans. These personal loans aim to combine credit card balances into a single payment, potentially reducing interest rates and monthly payments. However, the article highlights the importance of considering origination fees and the necessity of a good credit score for favorable terms.
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Closing Thoughts: The article concludes by emphasizing the overwhelming nature of debt and the importance of diligently applying the discussed methods. It suggests that consistency and diligence in utilizing these strategies can lead to substantial progress in debt reduction, ultimately improving financial health in 2024.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of credit card debt, its implications, and actionable strategies for individuals to regain control of their finances in the face of rising interest rates and increasing prices.
