Credit card debt is a very big problem many people have, especially in the west. Many people are now paying enormous amounts in interest year after year because of their continued usage of credit cards, to finance almost everything. Though some might have landed up with credit card debt due to some unfortunate event or emergency in their life, most people carry credit card debt due to their own misuse of their credit cards.
Once you have accumulated credit card debt, it’s not impossible to eliminate, but it could be difficult. Two of your choices are to hire a debt paying service or do-it-yourself. There are pros and cons to both. Debt charges usually charge a fee. Doing it yourself requires patience, discipline and planning.
However, there is more to paying off credit card debt then just what meets the eye. Here we are talking about the life after you pay off credit card debt successfully. As mentioned before, not everyone is able to pay off their credit card debt. Unfortunately, many people fail too.
You have followed your plan and paid off your credit card debt successfully. What do you do now to keep it paid off and not fall back into old spending habits? Remember, there is life after having credit card debt, and it will be much more enjoyable than when you had it.
Do whatever it takes to keep the debt off! Be persistent, and relentless. An accountability partner could help you keep that debt off. Manage yourself internally and externally to keep the lid on accumulating that debt again. Whatever you do, don’t fool yourself into thinking that it is okay to build that debt back up again.
It has been shown that habits take at least 30 day to change. It should take more than 30 days of different spending and payoff habits to eliminate your credit card debt. The key is to keep these habits up once your debt has been eliminated. Below are simple rules you can utilize to keep your credit card debt down. There are many more but these few can be implemented without too much stress:
1) If you don’t need credit cards close all of them, cut them up and only pay cash. Studies show if you pay cash for everything, you spend a lot less overall period.
2) Only charge as much on your credit card that you can pay off comfortably by the grace period.
3) Pay off all your cards by the grace periods.
4) If you do need credit cards, cut up and close all your accounts except two (2). For example I have an American Express (for places that don’t take Visa or Master Card) and one Visa, which as a bonus pays for airplane tickets.
Adding these rules, and other rules that work for you, will eliminate stress and you paying any unnecessary interest. It has helped me considerably to not apply for any credit card offers that are mailed to me, although it is tempting to do so. You can use the extra money, you had paid in interest, on other necessities or even luxuries that will add to the quality of your life. Take it from one who has had experience, life after credit card debt is a lot less stressful, costly and the new habits you will acquire are much smarter.