27 March 2024
Paying off your credit cards quickly
How to quickly pay off your credit card debt
Managing credit card debt is an essential step toward financial stability. The following five strategies can help you pay off your credit card debt faster.
Use Your Savings
The interest on credit card debt often far exceeds the benefits of most savings accounts. For instance, a £500 credit card debt at 20% interest costs significantly more than what the same amount would earn in a savings account. Using your savings to pay off high-interest debt can save you money in the long run, although it's crucial to keep some emergency funds accessible.
Transfer to a 0% Card
Moving your debt to a 0% balance transfer credit card offers a period without interest, allowing you to reduce the balance more effectively. It’s essential to devise a repayment plan to take full advantage of this period and avoid the build-up of further debt.
Increase Monthly Payments
Merely meeting the minimum repayment does little to reduce your principal debt. By increasing your monthly payment, you'll decrease the interest accrued and clear your debt faster. This approach significantly shortens the repayment period and saves on interest.
Prioritise Your Debts
When dealing with multiple debts, focus your efforts on the one with the highest interest rate first, while maintaining minimum payments on others. This method, known as the avalanche method, minimises the overall interest paid. Alternatively, the snowball method—clearing the smallest debts first—can offer motivational boosts.
Automate Your Repayments
Setting up a direct debit for at least the minimum payment amount ensures timely payments, helping you avoid late fees and negative impacts on your credit report. Ensure your account has sufficient funds to cover these payments to avoid overdraft fees.
Boom Community Bank’s Consolidation Loans
To assist in managing and clearing high-interest credit card debt, Boom Community Bank offers competitive consolidation loan options. Combining multiple debts into a single loan with a lower interest rate simplifies payments and potentially saves you money over time.
Read for more information and apply online here.