Who Needs Credit Card Debt Management?
The average American consumer has about $8,000 in credit card debt and pays an average interest rate of 14.7 percent, according to Cardweb.com. This means that John Q. Public pays more than $1,150 each year in interest charges. If you are among the 60 percent of Americans who carry a monthly credit card balance, you could benefit from credit card debt management.
Simple Credit Card Debt Management Strategies
One of the most common approaches to credit card debt management is simply to pay off the cards with higher interest rates first. For example, if you have two credit cards with balances, you should aggressively pay off the one with the higher balance while just paying the minimum on the balance with the lower rate. Once the higher rate balance is paid off, you can attack the other card’s balance. With this credit card debt management strategy, you can eliminate credit card debt several months sooner than if you split your payments equally between your two cards.
Credit Card Debt Management Services
If you simply can’t master credit card debt management on your own, you may want to consider debt consolidation. Many credit card debt management companies offer relief from heavy payments and high rates by allowing you to pay them in one lower monthly payment. They simply take your money and make arrangements with your creditors to pay them over a longer period of time. These credit card debt management services should be used only as a last resort before bankruptcy. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling Web site, Debtadvice.org, is a good starting point for free or low-cost credit card debt management.
Where to Go For Credit Card Debt Management Advice
One of today’s most savvy financial counselors is Suze Orman, whose books and TV shows have helped many with credit card debt management. Her Web site, Suzeorman.com, can be a powerful tool for understanding debt and how to eliminate it. Her weekly television show is an hour full of financial information and advice, and it’s free! If you have questions about credit card debt management, check your local listings for The Suze Orman Show on CNBC.
Credit Card Debt Management: Making Credit Cards Work For You
Once you’ve mastered credit card debt management, you can begin using credit cards to your advantage, instead of the other way around. There are many credit cards out there that offer cash rewards, as long as your credit score is high enough to qualify for them.
Citibank’s Dividend Platinum Select Card pays cardholders five percent cash back (up to $300 per year) for all purchases made at gas stations, supermarkets, and drugstores. In other words, if you charge $500 per month at Chevron, Walgreens, and Albertson’s, you’ll get a $100 check from Citibank every four months. A similar credit card is available from Discover, but the 5 percent cash back applies only to gas purchases. However, the Discover card has a higher limit in cash rewards, up to $1250 per year. Neither card has an annual fee.
By Aaron McCullough