There is no way to miraculously becoming debt free. Excessive debts
incur over time. Hence, patience and effort is needed in order to reduce,
and ultimately eliminate credit card debts. The average household has a
credit card debt around $8,000. Unfortunately, there are individuals
carrying much higher balances. Due to high finance fees, credit card
companies make it impossible to payoff the debt. However, alleviating debt
is doable. Here are a few tips to help you become debt free sooner.
Use Cash for All Purchases
Several people will make claims of wanting to become debt free.
However, these same individuals continue to use their credit cards for
frivolous purchases. Today, we have our wants and needs confused. In order to
fulfill a want, people regularly go on shopping sprees, vacations, and
eat out using their credit cards.
The first step to eliminating credit card debt is to stop using the
cards. Do not cancel credit accounts. Instead, cut the cards in half or
store them in a place where they are not easily accessible. Breaking the
habit of regularly using a credit card is difficult. However, once cash
is being used for all purchases, you will notice a balance reduction.
Get a Personal Debt Consolidation Loan
Debt consolidation loans have their pros and cons. For starters, these
loans are great because they allow debt consolidation at a low interest
rate with fixed terms. Instead of paying a credit card with an interest
rate of 20 percent, you can obtain a personal loan with a rate of 8 or
9 percent. This option affords the opportunity to become debt free in
five years, as opposed to twenty or thirty years.
Unfortunately, there is a downside to debt consolidation loans. Some
people with terrible spending habits may accumulate more debts once their
credit cards are paid off. The purpose of debt consolidation loans is
not to create space for new debts. When this occurs, many people become
financially strapped because they have doubled their debts.
Transfer Balance to a Zero Percent Credit Card
One method for quickly paying off credit card debt involves
transferring the balance from a high interest credit card to a zero percent
interest card. With a high interest rate card, the minimum payments barely
cover the finance charges. Thus, the balance never decreases. Zero
percent interest cards offer an interest-free period. Therefore, all payments
will to toward reducing the principle balance.
Carrie Reeder is the owner of http://www.abcloanguide.com. View her recommended sources for credit card debt relief.
View her recommended online companies to help you reduce credit card debt. Also, view her recommended sources for Zero Interest Credit Cards.