Paying Off Credit Card Debt. Free Debt Help. StepChange (2024)

Credit card debt

Try to pay what you can afford towards your credit card. More interest is added as the balance gets bigger. Try to keep your balance low.

Your card provider asks you to pay a minimum amount every month. Try to pay more if you can.

Extra charges are added if you miss payments.

Credit card debt problems

Stop using your card if you are finding it hard to pay off credit card debt.

Let your provider know you are having problems. They may be able to agree a payment plan with you.

Making minimum payments could mean you end up paying the debt over a long time.

Minimum payments usually only cover the interest and charges on a debt. This means the balance does not go down much.

Persistent debt

‘Persistent debt’ is when you only make minimum payments for over 18 months.

Your credit card company will write to you and ask you to increase your monthly payment.

Some companies are changing their terms and conditions (T&Cs) to:


  • Increase the minimum payment
  • Help customers reduce their debt

Find out more about persistent debt and minimum payments.

Use your budget to find ways to pay off your credit card quicker at a rate you can afford.

Need help with credit card debt?

Transferring the debt via a balance transfer

Some credit cards let you transfer the balance from another card.

Moving the debt to a card with low or 0% interest could help you pay off the debt faster.

Remember:


  • Low or 0% interest credit cards are hard to get if you do not have a good credit rating
  • Look out for fees
  • Most credit card providers charge 2-3% of the amount you are transferring as a one-off fee
  • Fees may mean you save less than you expect
  • Avoid spending on both cards. Make sure you:
  • Cut up the old credit card
  • Close the account

Frequently asked questions

How do you pay off credit cards?

There are a few ways to pay off a credit card.

The first thing to do is stop using the credit card you want to pay off. This means the amount you owe stops growing, making it quicker to repay.

Options for paying off your credit card balance include:

1. Making a budget

Find out if you can make savings anywhere. This will:


  • Free up money to increase your credit card repayments
  • Lower the amount of interest added

2. Transfer the balance

Find a zero percent interest credit card and make regular payments to pay this off.

3. Take out a consolidation loan

Only do this if you can afford the repayments.

It can be hard to find an affordable loan if you have a bad credit history.

Get free advice if you are struggling with credit card payments and other regular bills.

Is it better to pay off a credit card in full?

It depends on what you can afford to do.

Paying off your credit card in full can save you money in interest and charges.

But this is not a good option if you would need to:


  • Take out more credit, or
  • Make big cutbacks on your monthly spending

It might be better for you to pay off your credit card over time if:


  • You have a bad credit score
  • This means new credit has higher interest rates for you
  • You have to stop paying priority bills to afford paying it off at once

Credit card debt advice

Get free online debt advice if you are struggling to cover the minimum payments on your credit card.

Paying Off Credit Card Debt. Free Debt Help. StepChange (2024)

FAQs

How to pay off credit card debt with no money? ›

  1. Using a balance transfer credit card. ...
  2. Consolidating debt with a personal loan. ...
  3. Borrowing money from family or friends. ...
  4. Paying off high-interest debt first. ...
  5. Paying off the smallest balance first. ...
  6. Bottom line.
Apr 24, 2024

How long will it take to pay off $20,000 in credit card debt? ›

It will take 47 months to pay off $20,000 with payments of $600 per month, assuming the average credit card APR of around 18%. The time it takes to repay a balance depends on how often you make payments, how big your payments are and what the interest rate charged by the lender is.

What happens if you can't afford to pay credit card debt? ›

If this happens: Your lender will contact you to demand the missing payments are made. Then if you don't make the payments they ask for, the account will default. And if you still don't pay, further action may be taken, such as employing debt collection agents to recover the money you owe them.

Is there a way to wipe credit card debt? ›

Outside of bankruptcy or debt settlement, there are really no other ways to completely wipe away credit card debt without paying. Making minimum payments and slowly chipping away at the balance is the norm for most people in debt, and that may be the best option in many situations.

How do you pay off credit card when you are broke? ›

How to pay off credit card debt
  1. Try the avalanche method.
  2. Test the snowball method.
  3. Consider a balance transfer card.
  4. Get your spending under control.
  5. Grow your emergency fund.
  6. Switch to cash.
  7. Explore debt consolidation loans.
Jun 12, 2024

Does the government help with credit card debt? ›

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a government-sponsored program for credit card debt relief.

Is national debt relief legitimate? ›

Is National Debt Relief legit? National Debt Relief is an accredited member of the American Association for Debt Resolution (AADR). It has been around since 2009 and has helped over 600,000 individuals reduce their debt. It also has an A+ rating from the BBB (Better Business Bureau).

How bad is $5,000 in credit card debt? ›

$5,000 in credit card debt can be quite costly in the long run. That's especially the case if you only make minimum payments each month. However, you don't have to accept decades of credit card debt. There are a few things you can do to pay your debt off faster - potentially saving thousands of dollars in the process.

How to get out of debt when you are broke? ›

How to get out of debt when you have no money
  1. Step 1: Stop taking on new debt. ...
  2. Step 2: Determine how much you owe. ...
  3. Step 3: Create a budget. ...
  4. Step 4: Pay off the smallest debts first. ...
  5. Step 5: Start tackling larger debts. ...
  6. Step 6: Look for ways to earn extra money. ...
  7. Step 7: Boost your credit scores.
Dec 5, 2023

Is there forgiveness for credit card debt? ›

Credit card companies rarely forgive your entire debt. But you might be able to settle the debt for less and get a portion forgiven. Most credit card companies won't provide forgiveness for all of your credit card debt. But they will occasionally accept a smaller amount to settle the balance due and forgive the rest.

How to stop paying credit cards legally? ›

Legal Ways to Cease Credit Card Payments
  1. Debt Settlement. Debt settlement is a process that involves negotiating with creditors to pay less than the full amount you owe. ...
  2. Debt Management Plan (DMP) ...
  3. Bankruptcy.
May 31, 2024

How do I get rid of unpaid credit card debt? ›

Here's how to lower or pay off your credit card debt in five steps.
  1. Find a payment strategy or two. Consider these methods to help you pay off your credit card debt faster. ...
  2. Consider debt consolidation. ...
  3. Work with your creditors. ...
  4. Seek help through debt relief.
Mar 27, 2024

How to ask for debt forgiveness? ›

The borrower can apply for debt forgiveness on compassionate grounds by writing about the financial difficulties and requesting the creditor to cancel the debt amount.

Who qualifies for debt forgiveness? ›

Cancel student debt for borrowers who entered repayment a long time ago. Borrowers with undergraduate debt would qualify for forgiveness if they entered repayment 20 years ago or more, and borrowers with graduate school debt would qualify for forgiveness if they entered repayment 25 years ago or more.

How do I legally discharge my credit card debt? ›

Chapter 7 bankruptcy: This fairly quick legal process can wipe out your unsecured debts through what's called a “discharge.” Chapter 13 bankruptcy: Chapter 13 can also result in a discharge, but typically only after you complete a 3-5 year repayment plan.

How to pay a credit card bill if you don't have money? ›

What should I do if I can't pay my credit card bills?
  1. Add up your income and expenses. Look for ways to cut costs. ...
  2. Call your credit card company. When you talk to your credit card company, be sure to clearly explain: ...
  3. Consider credit counseling. ...
  4. Watch out for debt settlement or debt relief companies.
May 15, 2024

What are 3 ways to pay off credit card debt fast? ›

How to pay off credit card debt fast
  1. In a nutshell. ...
  2. 4 ways to pay down debt fast. ...
  3. Use a popular debt repayment strategy. ...
  4. Apply for a debt consolidation loan. ...
  5. Consider a balance transfer credit card. ...
  6. Use a debt relief program.
May 13, 2024

How can I get out of debt with bad credit and no money? ›

How to Get Out of Debt With No Money and Bad Credit
  1. Filing for Bankruptcy. Filing for bankruptcy is a last resort option for many people drowning in debt, mostly because it gets a bad rap. ...
  2. Debt Consolidation. Consolidating debt is a very popular debt relief option. ...
  3. Debt Settlement. ...
  4. The Snowball Method. ...
  5. The Island Approach.
Jan 11, 2023

How to pay off $20k in debt fast? ›

If you have $20,000 in credit card debt that you need to pay off in three years or less, you have multiple options to consider, including:
  1. Take advantage of a debt relief service.
  2. Consolidate your debt with a home equity loan.
  3. Take advantage of 0% balance transfer credit cards.
May 22, 2024

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