ArticlesBase.com - Free Articles Directory
Free Online Articles Directory
06.09.2008 Sign In Register Hello Guest
Email:
Password:
Remember Me 
forgot your password?


How to Eliminate Credit Card Debt

Author: Joseph Kenny Author Ranking Gold Featured Author | Posted: 17-07-2006 | Comments: 0 | Views: 209 | Rating:  (51) Article Popularity - Blue (?) Got a Question? Ask.
Sign Up Now!

Each year more and more people find themselves drowning in a pool of credit card debt. While it is comforting to some degree to be able to take solace in the fact that you're not alone, most people would also prefer being able to eliminate the credit card debt all together. While it can seem almost impossible to pay down credit card debt once you have attained it, the good news is that there are in fact ways to make it quite possible to pay off your credit card debt and enjoy the freedom it affords you.

First, it is important to understand that you absolutely must have a plan for paying off your credit card debt. Worrying about it won't help you get out of debt any faster. You must put pen to paper and develop a plan for paying it off. The first step you must take in developing such a plan is by analyzing your existing budget to determine where you can use additional money to pay down the debt. Look at luxury cost areas that you can cut out and use those funds to pay on your credit card. Consider options like packing your lunch at home instead of eating out, cutting down on the number of coffees you purchase each week, etc. Once you start thinking about it, you may be surprised at the amount of money you can come up with to put toward your credit card debt.

Second, it is extremely important to understand that you will never get out of debt by paying only the monthly minimum. At that rate, you'll be lucky if you have it paid off by the time you retire. You must take aggressive action and start at least doubling your payments in order to make a dent in your debt.

If you have more than one credit card, take a look at which cards have the highest interest rates. The card or cards with the highest interest rates should receive your first attention. In the event that you can't afford to pay more than the minimum amount on all of your cards, focus on the card(s) with the highest interest rate first. When those are paid off you can then take that money and apply it to the other cards. Slowly, but surely you will pay them off.

It can also be helpful to look at the ways in which you can reduce the interest rates on your cards. One way to do this would be to simply call up your credit card companies and request a lower rate. Of course, they don't have to grant the lower rate to you but if you point out that you'll take your business elsewhere if they don't, they might quickly change their tune. Transferring balances to a lower interest rate card can also be helpful as long as you close the original account so you are not tempted to run it back up again.

By following these strategies and remaining dedicated to paying off your credit cards, you'll have the debt eliminated before you know it. Just remember that while it may seem as though it is taking forever and you may be tempted to quit, following these strategies will help you eliminate your debt far sooner than just letting things go as they are.

Rate this Article: Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/how-to-eliminate-credit-card-debt-41952.html

Print this Article Print article   Email to a Friend Send to friend   Publish this Article on your Website Publish this Article   Send Author Feedback Author feedback  
About the Author:

Joe Kenny writes for Card Guide, offering the latest information on credit cards in the UK, visit them today to 0% balance transfer credit card and start clearing credit card debt today.

Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Comment on this article Comment on this article
Your Name
Your Email:
Comment Body
Enter Validation Code: Captcha


Related Articles

Dealing With Credit Card Debt
By: Joseph Kenny | 22/05/2006 | Finance
Left unchecked, one of the worst feelings in the world is opening a credit card statement that you know you have no chance of making the minimum repayment, let alone paying off the entire balance.

Dealing With Credit Card Debt.
By: Joseph Kenny | 26/05/2006 | Credit
Left unchecked, one of the worst feelings in the world is opening a credit card statement that you know you have no chance of making the minimum repayment, let alone paying off the entire balance.

Credit Card Debt: How To Avoid It
By: Joseph Kenny | 07/08/2006 | Advice
Millions of individuals and families are indebt or on the verge of it. Debt can be accumulated from a wide variety of different sources; however, credit debt is the most common.

Get Interest Free Cash With 0% Balance Transfers
By: Joseph Kenny | 30/09/2006 | Advice
If you have a great credit rating and no debt, then you could be in line to make some money. And you can do it using the tools that credit card tarts have been using for years.

Credit Card Debt - First Steps To Resolution
By: Joseph Kenny | 05/06/2006 | Finance
If you have let your credit card debt get out of hand, then do not panic. You are among a fast growing group of people who are falling victim to the UK's ever increasing credit card debt mountain.

Make Money With Credit Cards
By: Joseph Kenny | 15/05/2006 | Finance
It's hard to imagine that you earn money with a credit card if you manage your debt correctly, but ever since Egg got the jump on its competitors with the 0% Egg Card on Christmas Day in 2000, you can actually make money with credit cards - balance transfers is how you do it!

Low Interest Credit Cards - Make Sure You Have The Cheapest Rate
By: Joseph Kenny | 16/05/2006 | Finance
Making sure that you pay the lowest rate of interest chargeable on your credit card usage is vital if you want to maintain an effective money management scheme. As such, knowing how to make sure you pay the lowest interest rate on your credit card should be viewed as an essential element to deciding which credit card you should select.

Switching Credit Cards For A Better Deal
By: Joseph Kenny | 16/05/2006 | Finance
You may think that a credit card is for life - but with the level of hot competition among credit card providers these days it has never been easier for people switching credit cards to get a better deal than the one they currently have!

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Frequently Asked Questions

Estate Planning - Joint or Tenancy in Common in MN
By: kmaverick | 11-10-2007
I am going to buy a house with my mother and want to know if I should go with Joint Tenancy or Tenancy in Common in the state of MN?  I am the only child, but need to know this in the event she becomes ill and needs to go into a nursing home, we want to protect the property.

How do you apply for debt relief grants and with ...
By: ikebana | 11-10-2007
how do you apply for debt relief grants and with whom

How do you convert pounds into U.S. currency  
By: jenshawin | 11-10-2007
how do you convert pounds into U.S. currency 

What's the name of the ugliest dog that ever won a national prize for being so ugly that it was cute?
By: tul2007tul | 08-10-2007
what's the name of the ugliest dog that ever won a national prize for being so ugly that it was cute?

Do you fund cases with mother and minor child in ...
By: coolshe | 08-10-2007
do you fund cases with mother and minor child in suit?

  Mack's grandmother always always let him keep ...
By: syzza27 | 04-10-2007
 Mack's grandmother always always let him keep the change that he found stuck between the cushions of the couch. Last week he found 10 coins worth $1.19. his father offered to exchange some of the coins for a $1.00 bill, but mack couldn't give him exactly one dollar in change. One of the coins was a half dollar.What were the other nine coins?

Q&A Powered by:
Powered by Yedda 

Latest Finance Articles

Overseas Property Buyers Loving the Credit Crunch
By: Nicholas Marr | 06/09/2008
International real estate industry has been bracing itself for the global slowdown but as author Niocholas Marr explains for some this is the nest time to make that purchase of an overseas property

Net Operating Income and Real Estate Analysis
By: James Kobzeff | 06/09/2008
Discover the various ways net operating income gets used in real estate investing and learn how each is calculated.

Financial Security Planning in Uncertain Job Climates
By: Marilyn Katz | 06/09/2008
Nobody can predict every possible emergency or financial problem, but every can do their best to plan for the unexpected.

3 Things You Need to Know About Secured Credit Cards
By: Sean Masterson | 06/09/2008
Think you understand the ins and the outs of secured credit cards? There's actually quite a few misconceptions that many have about these particular financial tools. If you want to make an informed credit card decision when choosing a secured card, there are three things you absolutely must know.

Stock Market Volatility Helps In Making Money Using Stocks
By: Amit Kheterpal | 05/09/2008
Anyone who has ever ventured into the stock market would have gotten to know by now that the index can go up and down on any given date. That gyration can actually help you make good returns on the stock market.

Tips On How To Diversify Your Risk In The Stock Market
By: Amit Kheterpal | 05/09/2008
Stock market is not for the faint hearted they say. That is definitely correct and a lot of people who join the stock market bandwagon hearing stories about loads of money to be made usually are the ones who burn their fingers in the stock market very easily.

Making the Most of Your Business Banking Relationship
By: Ann Knapp | 05/09/2008
Anyone who owns a business can appreciate the need for a bank account to handle bill paying, deposits and payroll. But banks can assist business owners in so many other ways as well. In fact, having a reliable financial partner can help a business reach its greatest potential, as well as provide support during times of financial need.

10 Sound Budgeting Tips to Ensure Financial Freedom
By: Michael New Jr. | 05/09/2008
Here are 10 sound budgeting tips that will surely get you on the right track again. If you're in trouble with debt, this article is a must read!

More from Joseph Kenny

What Type of Loan Do You Need?
By: Joseph Kenny | 19/06/2008 | Loans
If you have ever applied for a loan, then you probably are aware that there are different kinds of loans which are available at banks, credit unions, other financial institutions, or with private lenders.

Choosing The Right Life Insurance For You
By: Joseph Kenny | 17/06/2008 | Insurance
Here is an important question for you. Have you considered the type of life insurance policy you need? For many people throughout the country, the question of life insurance is one they have no answer. They haven't even considered it. It is not always about not having the money to purchase a policy.

Be Prepared When Applying For A Mortgage
By: Joseph Kenny | 16/06/2008 | Mortgage
It is true that most of the people in America do not have the finances to purchase a home and pay cash or the equivalent for it. The American dream is to own a home and the main objective is to obtain a mortgage for it. This is what the mortgage lenders know and most of them are willing to be of help in this endeavor.

Choosing The Right Credit Card Deal
By: Joseph Kenny | 16/06/2008 | Credit
When you are considering applying for a credit card you probably will have several offers available. The credit card companies will spend about a million dollars a year to send us their particular offers for credit. Trying to choose which one among them that is best for you can be a hard decision to make. Should you choose the first pre-approved offer and send in the application?

Dwindling Consumer Confidence Is Not Helping the Housing Market
By: Joseph Kenny | 16/06/2008 | Finance
e aggressive interest rate cuts by the Federal Government to maintain jobs and even a stimulus package sent out to assist with finances, consumer confidence is still lingering around its lowest level in close to two decades.

Choosing Between A Second Mortgage And A Home Equity Loan
By: Joseph Kenny | 16/06/2008 | Mortgage
There are some alternatives available to the homeowner who needs financial help but does not want to refinance their present mortgage. There are however, at least two main options if some sort of equity loan is desired. You can obtain an equity credit line or a second mortgage loan and there are specific advantages and disadvantages with each one.

Defining Credit Card Finance Charges
By: Joseph Kenny | 13/06/2008 | Credit
There are other fees associated with the use of a credit card besides the actual charge from each purchase. These other costs can add to the total balance on your account that you have to pay.

Eliminate Debts For A Better Personal Life
By: Joseph Kenny | 13/06/2008 | Finance
The elimination of personal debt is always a good idea; removing debt is always advantageous in many ways. It doesn't matter who you are wealthy and have huge debts, or who are regular person with a small amount of debt.

Article Categories






Give Feedback

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below