One of the best decisions you could ever make would be to pay credit card debt - pay it off and get rid of credit card debt completely. Why? I think the answer is obvious - the interest rates on most credit cards will eat you alive. Second, if you're borrowing heavily by using credit cards and not paying the balances off each month, you're living a lifestyle that is way over your head. You must learn to live beneath your means.



In order to get control of your life, you must make a plan to pay off your credit card debt immediately - if not sooner. Then, as your debt level goes down, your quality of life will go up - it's that simple. Now, let's get started.

Stop Spending With Your Credit Cards

This is a simple step - it's easier than you think. Except for one basic major credit card (ONLY for emergencies), cut up all of your credit cards and cancel those accounts - now. If you don't stop charging on your credit cards and adding balances, you'll never have a chance to pay off your credit card debt. So, get rid of all credit cards (except the one for emergencies) and cancel those accounts - after the balance has been paid off.

You'll need to make a budget now. Write down your monthly income, then write down all of your monthly expenses - debt payments, food, utilities, insurance, medical, etc. If you come up short on income, don't delete the necessities such as food, utilities, medicine and insurance. You may have to cut out the non-essential items such as eating out, vacations, etc.

Make Extra Payments On Credit Card Debt

After you've gotten rid of credit cards and determined your budget, the next step is to pay that debt off - fast!

The easiest way to do this is to make extra payments - maybe send in two payments per month vs. one, or add a little to the regular monthly payment. You may be surprised how just a little extra monthly payment can reduce the time needed to pay off that debt - often cutting the time needed for total payoff in half!

Snowball Your Debt

"Snowballing" is a term that loosely means paying off the cards with the highest interest rate first. Then, after those debts are paid off, take the money freed up and apply it to the next highest interest rate debt. Snowballing your debt can quickly help pay it off - if you pay as much extra as you can, and apply the freed up money to the next debt.

But, to make the "snowball" work, you must never give in to temptation and use the extra money for anything else than debt payments.

Negotiate With Your Creditors

One tactic that can pay huge benefits is actually quite simple.

Call your credit card company and ask for a lower interest rate. The idea behind this is if you have a decent payment history, the credit card company probably doesn't want to lose your business. They know that you can easily find a new, introductory rate, and move your balances.

It's surprising how many people skip this simple, but effective tactic. When you call your credit card company and ask for the rate reduction, be firm but pleasant. Never be abusive or anything close - remember, you're probably talking with a customer service representative who is talking with many people in a day - sometimes angry and frustrated debt holders. You're looking for a "favor," so be nice!

Paying credit card debt is a tremendous goal - and is something that can have a very positive effect on your life for years to come. If you're heavily in debt, remember that it is "always darkest before dawn," meaning that just when things seem to be at their worst, good things could be just around the corner. Get that debt paid off - now!