It’s easy to get a credit card in this day and age. Most of us find offers from credit card providers regularly when we open our mailboxes—envelopes prominently advertising cash back, low interest rates, travel miles and other perks. When you think of the benefits alone, it can be quite tempting to sign up.
But, eventually, it comes time to pay the piper. Those credit cards that were so easy to open and use are much more challenging to manage over time. While credit card debt certainly isn’t the end of the world, it can quickly spiral out of control.
Looking to take control of your credit card? Consider these five strategies for dealing with debt effectively and organizing your finances.
Watch Your Credit Utilization Ratio
Keeping a close eye on your credit utilization ratio has a few benefits: it curbs excessive spending and boosts your credit score over time. As U.S. News & World Report notes, “Ideally, credit bureaus like to see that you’re using no more than 30 percent of your available credit.”
Following this logic, maxing out your credit cards can be counterproductive because it puts your credit score at risk. If your credit card has a limit of $5,000 it’s prudent to spend less than $1,500 per month to maintain your ratio. Think of it like a built-in system of checks and balances that ultimately preserves your credit score and helps you stay on track.
Strategize Your Repayment Plan
One of the most confusing aspects of debt can be deciding what to pay off first, especially with multiple credit cards in the picture. While there’s no universal ‘right’ way to tackle debt, there are a few tried-and-true strategies.
- Avalanche Method: Pay off large balances with the highest interest first while making minimum payments on smaller ones. Then move down the line.
- Snowball Method: Pay off small balances first while making minimum payments on larger ones. Then move up the line as you close out each successive debt.
- All-at-Once Method: Pay more than the minimum requirement on each card each month.
The common thread here is that it’s important to pay more than the minimum requirement on at least one card, if not all of them.
Work with Debt Settlement Experts
One of the most intimidating aspects of debt is that it often feels like you’re alone in the process. Some consumers find success partnering with certified debt consultants to come up with a plan of action, including negotiating with creditors to bring debts down before repayment begins. For example, credit card debt relief from companies like Freedom Debt Relief allows clients to make monthly deposits into a single account instead of having to deal with multiple creditors directly. This process continues until the debt has been resolved—but the end sum is lower because of those initial debt negotiations.
Carefully Transfer Your Balance
In theory, transferring your credit card balance from a high-interest rate card to one with lower interest rates is a no brainer. But buyer beware: These low interest rates usually last for 12 to 18 months. After that, the rates become as high or higher than your old card. So, only pursue transference if you’re confident you can pay off your debt within that window. Also, it pays to investigate balance-transfer fees before you agree to anything.
Consider Each Card You Have
There’s a debate surrounding how many credit cards U.S. adults ‘should’ have. But there are pros and cons to consider for carrying more and fewer than three cards. If you’re experiencing debt, it’s better to err on the side of safety. As one Forbes contributor mentions, reducing the number of credit cards available means you’re limiting your ability to accidentally overspend. Sit down and take a close look at the terms of your current credit cards. Examine interest rates, rewards and past expenditures. Then streamline your holdings.
These five strategies for taking control of your credit cards will put you in the driver’s seat of your financial life, now and in the future.
