How to Recover from Holiday Credit Card Debt

Now that the holidays have come and gone, you may be struggling with extra credit card debt. Studies have shown that the average American household with credit card debt pays more than $1,200 per year in interest. Not only does debt cause stress, it also harms your credit. Follow these steps and chip away at your holiday debt each month to avoid high interest charges and maintain healthy credit.

1) Pay More Than the Minimum

Carrying a balance each month is unhealthy for your credit score and also makes you susceptible to interest charges. To avoid a month to month balance, pay more than the minimum amount that appears on your monthly statement. Avoid spending above your means and pay off any new charges in full. This will help you put a dent in your debt and reduce the amount of interest you owe over time.

2) Pay Off a Set Amount Each Month

Set aside some time to assess your finances and determine a realistic amount that you can dedicate toward paying off your debt each month. For example, you may want to set up auto-pay on your account with this specified amount. If the amount is automatically withdrawn from your account each month, you’ll be less likely to feel tempted to spend it on something else as the payment date draws near.

3) Keep Your Credit Utilization Low

As you work toward paying off your debt, focus on keeping your credit utilization lower. Try to cap your credit card usage at around 30%, which will make your payments more manageable.

Here’s how to calculate your usage

Divide your credit card balance by your credit limit.  Move the decimal point two places to the right. This is your current credit usage. A higher percentage will harm your credit while a lower percentage will help.

          Example: Credit Usage Calculation
Statement Balance = $500
Credit Limit = $1000
$500 divided by $1000 = $0.5
Move decimal two places to the right = 50
Current Credit Usage = 50%

4) Spend Wisely

Stick to a firm budget to avoid letting your credit card balances continue to creep higher.  Evaluate your income in relation to fixed expenses.  Try to keep your spending within your means.  As you have extra funds, place them in a savings account so that you’re prepared for unexpected expenses…or those holiday gifts you’d like to buy.

Seek Free Legal Help

Once you fall behind on payments, the creditor may choose to assign or sell your obligation to a collection agency or law firm collector.  It’s important to know your rights and the laws that protect you from abusive collection tactics. Whether you owe the debt or not, the collector must follow the law.

Flitter Milz is a nationally recognized consumer protection law firm that represents victims of abusive collection practices.  Contact Us for a free evaluation to determine whether your consumer rights have been violated.