Thursday, January 1, 2009

Paying Off Your Credit Card Debts With a Debt Consolidation Loan

By Darren Cason

Paying off your credit card debts can seem like an impossible task. However, you are not alone if you have credit card debt. Many thousands of people have fallen into debt with credit cards; many probably have even more debt than you do. All of these people are trying to get rid of their debt, but are having a hard time finding a solution. However, if you follow several simple steps, you can get rid of your credit card debt.

To get completely out of debt, of course, you'll need to eliminate your credit card debt completely. There are actually many ways to do this, and you should tackle your debt in a way that makes sense for your situation. But there are several steps that should work for everyone trying to get rid of debt.

First, understand your full financial situation. Make a list of all of your credit card names, balances, interest rates, and payment due dates. If you have rewards points or other accrued rewards, you may also want to make a note of that. You may be able to use them to make partial payments or cover some of the fees.

Next, figure out which card is adding the most to your debt. This is probably the one with the highest APR and the highest balance. This is the card that you'll want to focus on getting paid off first, because it is costing you the most money. Don't put your money towards lower-interest cards with lower balances until you've paid off this card.

Now, compare offers from credit card debt consolidation or elimination programs. These will vary on the payment you'll owe each month, the interest you'll pay on the consolidation loan, and the amount of time it will take you to pay it off. Be sure that you choose a plan that you can afford, but which won't have you paying off the card for decades. Choose a reputable company that will not charge you exorbitant interest rates, but be aware that loans with lowest interest rates are generally reserved for people without a lot of debts.

After you consolidate your credit card debt and set a repayment plan, your focus should shift to keeping yourself from adding new debts. Use your credit cards wisely, which means not charging more than you can pay off. Remember that credit cards should be used for emergencies, not for buying luxuries you can't afford.

Because credit card debt means you were spending more than you were earning, you may want to look for alternative means to add to your income. This will also help you pay off your debt consolidation loan faster, getting yourself completely out of the problem of credit card debt. Balance transfer options could work wonders if you are having a hard time dealing with more than just one credit card debt. This will push you to choosing only the best cards among the ones that you currently have. You may want to look at taking on side projects, or getting a part time or weekend job, in order to increase your income.

Finally, celebrate the day when you finally pay off your credit card debt. Being debt free can bring you great peace of mind. - 15485

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