Dealing with High Levels of High Interest Debt

These days having at least one credit card is just about a necessity. From booking a hotel room to buying a plane ticket to renting a car, it is just about impossible to travel without one. Many other facets of everyday life are also made easier and simpler by the convenience of credit cards, but all this ready access to spendable cash has its downside as well.

As more and more people charge more and more items that they used to pay cash for, it is not surprising that levels of credit card debt have risen to record levels in recent years. Adding to the problem is the fact that interest rates on credit cards have not fallen in line with interest rates on savings and other types of loans. The interest rates on credit cards remain stubbornly high, and this means it can take years or even decades to pay off even a small balance.

For this reason, it is important to know how to use credit cards wisely. Likewise, it is important to know how to eliminate the high interest credit card debt you may already have.

Credit cards can be a great way to pay, providing the balance is paid in full at the end of the month. If the balance is paid in full each month, you are essentially getting an interest free loan – a great deal even in today’s low interest rate environment. If you carry a balance, however, you open yourself up to all kinds of interest charges, late payment fees and the like. These fees are on the rise so it pays to watch them closely.

If you do need to carry a balance, make sure it is on the card with the lowest interest rate. And if you are eligible for a lower interest rate loan, such as a personal loan from your bank, it may be a good idea to borrow the money you need to pay off the credit cards. You will save lots of money on interest and probably end up with lower monthly payments as well.

Of course eliminating that high interest credit card debt is only half the battle. The other half of the battle is using the remaining credit cards wisely and rarely if ever carrying a balance. This will take some perseverance and some discipline but it will be worth it in the long run.

By: Ryann Cairns | sosdebt.org

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