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How can you eliminate credit card debt in Canada?

To the point Do you have credit card debt? In this article, we share 10 tips to help you pay them off as quickly as possible.

If you have credit card debt, you know how difficult it can be to manage. With high interest rates, late payment fees and ATM fees, debt can mount up quickly. The good news is that there are several ways to eliminate your credit card debt. In this article, we share 10 tips to help you pay off your credit card debt, or at least reduce it as quickly as possible.

What impact do unpaid debts have on credit files?

Unpaid debts, whether credit card debt or loans, have a negative impact on your credit rating. In fact, 35% of your credit rating comes from your punctuality in settling your balances (debts) and payment deadlines. If your credit record isn’t ideal, you may find it difficult to apply for other loans, whether it’s a mortgage, car loan or other.

That’s why we recommend that you take control of your debts as soon as possible. Then, use the tips we share in this article to improve not only your credit rating, but your financial situation in general.

To help you read and understand your credit file from the two major credit bureaus, consult the following guides:

How can I reduce and pay off my credit card debt?

Here are our tips to help you pay off your credit card debts, or at least reduce them as quickly as possible.

1. Pay off high-interest debts first

The first thing to do is tackle the credit cards with the highest interest rates. Some credit cards have interest rates as high as 29.99%. So, if you have a balance of $2,000, that debt could be costing you up to $595 a year. Pay off your high-interest cards first, and you’ll be in a better position to manage your other credit cards. This method of debt repayment is known as the avalanche method.

Alternatively, there’s another well-known method: the snowball method. To find out more, read this article:

2. Set up automatic payments on your credit card

A great way to pay off your credit cards is to set up automatic payments. This will reduce your credit card debt each month. Setting up automatic payments will require you to draw up a budget to ensure that your current account has enough money to cover monthly payments. Your bank should allow you to set up automatic payments to your credit card account.

3. Transfer balance to a low-interest credit card

To reduce your interest rate and pay off your debts faster, consider transferring your credit card balances to a low-interest credit card.

Even better… Some credit cards offer reduced rates, including 0%, as well as balance transfer offers.

You can take advantage of this opportunity to pay off your credit card debt without having to pay high interest rates. These low-rate introductory cards may charge you a balance transfer fee. Be sure to check the details of the credit card agreement.

4. Pay more than the minimum payment due

If you only pay the minimum payment on your credit card, you will barely be able to pay off the principal on your card. Therefore, you should look to pay more than the minimum. Try to pay at least double the minimum. This will allow you to reduce the principal of your debt and pay it off faster.

Another approach to paying more than your minimum payment is to gradually increase the amount you pay each month. For example, you could pay 25% more than the minimum one month and pay 50% more than the minimum the next. Increase the amount you can pay to eliminate your debt faster.

5. Avoid late fees

Late fees can be very high when it comes to credit card debt. So you need to make sure you can avoid late fees as often as possible. You can easily avoid late fees by automatically paying your bill at least five to ten days before it’s due. Don’t forget to check your credit card statement to see when your bill is due. Sometimes the payment due date can change. So be sure to allow enough time for your automatic payment to be processed by the credit card company.

6. Establish a long-term plan

One of the best ways to stick to a budget or achieve a financial goal is to plan and budget. When you create a budget, you look at all aspects of your finances. This includes your income, expenses and debts. Don’t forget to look at the amount outstanding (debts) on your credit cards, and how long it will take to pay off your debt. A list of your creditors may also help, as will the total amount of your debts. These tips can help you achieve your debt repayment goals.

7. Limit the use of credit cards

In some cases, easy access to credit can encourage indebtedness. By limiting the use of your credit cards, you’re less likely to accumulate debt. For example, you could use your credit card only if you already have the money in your checking account. Why pay for something and be charged interest when you already have the money in the bank?

Try to use your credit card as a “last resort” only if you don’t have any money in the bank and have a major purchase to make, such as gas or food. Good credit card management can help you control your debts.

Another tip for reducing credit use is to reduce the credit limit on your cards.

Finally, have you considered a debit or prepaid card? For example, a KOHO Mastercard Prepaid Card or a Neo Credit Card. This type of card could help you manage your budget, expenses and debts. Meanwhile, it could also help you pay off any credit card debt you may have accumulated.

8. Negotiate a lower interest rate

There’s no harm in calling your credit card provider and negotiating a lower interest rate on your card. When you call customer service, mention the number of years you’ve been a customer and your payment history. If the credit card company doesn’t reduce your interest rate, you can mention that you’re thinking of closing your account. This may enable you to obtain a lower interest rate that will speed up debt repayment.

If this isn’t possible, consider applying for a low-interest credit card.

9. Consider a personal loan

Another way to pay off your credit card debt quickly is to consider a personal loan. A personal loan is a loan that allows you to do whatever you want with the money. Be sure to check whether the interest rate on the personal loan is lower than the interest rate on the credit card. If you can get an interest rate at least 5% lower on the personal loan than on the credit card, it may be worth getting the loan.

10. Consider a debt consolidation loan

You may also consider a debt consolidation loan, for your credit card debts or other debt (e.g. credit card, personal loan, line of credit, etc.). A debt consultation loan is a loan where a lender pays off your debts to your creditors. You are then responsible for paying off this debt consolidation loan. Sometimes, a debt consolidation loan will allow you to pay a lower interest rate. More importantly, you won’t have the anxiety of having multiple creditors to repay or negotiate payment arrangements.

You may want to consider a debt consolidation loan if you have debts with several creditors, especially high-interest credit cards. To discuss this option, contact your financial institution or a bankruptcy trustee.

How can you control your credit card debt?

Don’t let your life be dominated by credit card debt. You can control this debt by following the tips mentioned in this article. With the right planning, you can create a plan that will get you out of credit card debt. In extreme cases, contact a bankruptcy trustee to discuss options such as a consumer proposal and personal bankruptcy. But before you get to that stage, there are several options, such as debt consolidation.

Now, if you have a stain on your credit report, you could work on improving it. First, follow the tips we share in our guide to improving your credit score. However, to raise your credit score faster, you might consider subscribing to KOHO‘s credit improvement option, called KOHO Credit Building.

Bottom Line

In short, credit card debt puts a dent in your credit rating, and your financial situation can deteriorate rapidly. With the tips shared in this article, you now have all the information to help you eliminate your debts, or at least reduce them as quickly as possible.

Frequently asked questions about paying off credit card debt

How do I pay off credit card debt?

Depending on your financial situation, you need to pay off as much of your credit card balance as possible each month. In this article, we share several tips to help you pay off your credit card debts.

How can I clear a credit debt as quickly as possible?

To clear credit card debt quickly, you need to eliminate unnecessary spending so you can put as much money as possible toward paying off the debt. You can use one of the best-known methods, such as the avalanche method or the snowball method.

How do you pay your debts when you have no money?

You can reduce your expenses or increase your income. For example, work overtime or get a second job. Depending on the nature of your debts, your debt-to-income ratio and your ability to pay, other options are possible. Contact your financial institution or a trustee in bankruptcy to find out more.

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Vincent Morin
My name is Vincent and I've been a stay-at-home parent to two young boys since achieving financial independence in 2021 (FIRE). Previously, I worked for 12 years in financial technology for a major US investment bank (G-SIB). I'm passionate about personal finance, stock market investing, reading, writing, cycling and gardening. I'm also the founder of Retraite 101, a personal finance blog followed by over 20,000 people on social networks and quoted in several media, blogs and finance books. Despite early retirement, I continue to write about personal finance to share my passion with Quebecers and motivate them to take charge of their finances.

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