Credit card debt is something that millions of Americans struggle to deal with every year.
Fortunately, there are strategies that can help prevent credit card debt from becoming overwhelming.
How does the snowball method work?
The snowball method is a strategy that some people use to pay off their debts. According to NerdWallet.com, this strategy relies on paying off the smallest debt first before moving on to larger debts. This allows more modest debts to disappear first, giving you a relatively quick feeling of achievement.
The trick to this method is to keep paying the same amount towards your total debts, even when you pay something off. Once you pay off one credit card, for example, allocate that budgeted money towards another debt instead of back into disposable income. This allows your payments to become larger over time, knocking out debt much faster than if you were simply to budget the minimum payments.
Does the interest rate matter?
Some people choose to pay off credit cards with a different strategy: paying off the highest interest rate first. Technically, this strategy makes the most sense mathematically. Paying off the highest interest rate first will save you the most money over time. However, the actual savings may be negligible, especially when compared to the psychological benefits of the snowball method. You may find that paying off small debts sooner gives you more motivation to stay on track, regardless of the interest rate.
If you are currently struggling to make even your minimum payments on your credit card debts, it may be worth your while to file for bankruptcy. Bankruptcy can provide you with a fresh start and prevent creditors from harassing you while you get back on track financially.
