The majority of people who get into credit card debt have probably been guilty of irresponsible or indisciplined use of their credit card or have probably not made the payments as they are required to do so.. Here we will look at a common-sense approach to paying off your credit card debt.
For those individuals who enjoy a reasonably good credit rating, it is very easy to make an instant online credit card application and suddenly have money to spend! But it is wise to regard your credit card simply as a facility that is convenient, easy to use and will save you needing to carry large amounts of cash in your pocket. A credit card should never be used to bolster ones financial image by purchasing items that you could not afford if you did not have the card facility. Your instant online credit card application should be made as part of your overall financial management, not regarded as a long term loan.
However, being in a financial mess through over-use of your card is not the end of the world and the situation can be brought to heel with a little discipline and commitment. Making that instant online credit card application does not need to be a regrettable incident. There are a many ways to pay off or reduce your outstanding credit card debt and not simply by transferring the debt to another card. Whilst that action may relieve your current financial stress, it does not make your overall debt any less. Therefore your payments will still need to be found when the monthly statement arrives. Here is a simple method of clearing your credit card debt and at the same time protecting your credit rating.
1/. Put your card away safely and do not use it to either pay bills or make any purchases. Here's where the discipline comes in! It will no doubt be tempting for you to continue using the card, but if you are to get your credit card account under control it is important that you enter a period of time when you do not use it for any transactions.
2/. Determine the period of time that you will take to pay off your credit card balance. Say for example over six months, then divide your balance by five allowing for your last payment to cover the interest accrued while you paid off the debt. Now all you need to do is make those six payment and you will be free from credit card debt once again.
3/. Put your credit card debt at the top of your priority list for payment. Remember that the interest you are paying on your card is at a much higher rate than any other bills you may need to make, so make sure you make your credit card payment before you indulge yourself with new clothes, shoes or other items you can manage without.
4/. Once you have reduced your credit card balance to zero again, then, and only then, can you start to use the card again. But this time, remembering your self inflicted suffering in bringing your balance down to zero, use it wisely and make sure you do not get yourself into the same position again.
It is never enough to pay off your credit card debt and be proud of your achievement. Ok, you have done well so far, but you need to see the whole excercise through. It is just as important for you to maintain a debt-free status even after you have paid off your credit card debt. Only then will you be able to enjoy a stress-free lifestyle as far as your credit card is concerned.
Learn your lessons well and do not allow yourself to run up another credit card debt in the future. Remember the simple rules that you followed when you were trying to pay off credit card debt. Do not overspend. Always remain within 70% of your credit limit. Make credit card bill payments in time and in full. Don't hold more than 2 credit card accounts (two are enough for anyone).
The pressures created by credit card debt can be enormous. It can have an adverse effect not only on your health, but your relationships and your creditworthiness too, and you owe it to yourself to treat all threeof these with total respect. Try to simply use your card only for items you know you can afford to pay for when your card bill comes in at the end of each month. This way your credit card facility will often cost you zero. Paying the minimum payment on a credit card is fraught with danger and will surely cost you dearly in the long run.
So just stick to these very basic guidelines and you will enjoy the facility that your credit card offers you.
Trevor Taylor
