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5 Easy Ways to Avoid Credit Card Debt

  • Vrinda Mathur
  • Oct 18, 2023
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Revolving debt includes debt from credit cards. As long as you make enough payments to keep your balance below your credit limit each month, you are allowed to borrow money month after month. Unlike installment loans, which are closed once the sum is paid off, credit card accounts can be used for as long as you like. However, this kind of debt can quickly outpace you, ruining both your budget and credit score. Continue reading to find out more about how to use your credit card responsibly and avoid falling into the debt trap.


 

What is a Credit Card Debt?

 

A sort of unsecured liability that results from revolving credit card borrowing is credit card debt. By opening many credit card accounts with various terms and credit limitations, borrowers can amass credit card debt. Credit bureaus will report and monitor all of a borrower's credit card accounts. Since credit card accounts are revolving and perpetually open, they often represent the majority of outstanding debt on a borrower's credit report.

 

The accumulated outstanding balances that many borrowers carry over from month to month are typically referred to as credit card debt. For debtors looking to make purchases with postponed payments over time, credit card debt can be helpful. The interest rates on this kind of debt are some of the highest in the market. However, cardholders do have the choice to pay down their balances each month in order to reduce their overall interest costs.

 

Revolving debt on credit cards allows you to repeatedly borrow money up to the limit of your available credit. Your available credit is the sum of the credit limit on your card, the amount you've previously charged, interest, and any fees.

 

Collateral is not used to secure credit card debt. If you don't pay the card balance, the lender can't confiscate the goods you've bought, but your credit report could be severely harmed. Although you are not required to pay off the entire debt on your card each month, doing so will result in you paying interest on top of interest.

 

For many people, credit card debt is an ongoing issue. But using credit cards to incur excessive debt is not a given. Credit cards are revolving loans offered by issuing banks; whatever portion of the sum you don't pay off in your monthly billing statement crosses over to the following statement and is subject to interest. Due to the fact that credit card debts are unsecured, meaning there is no collateral the lender could confiscate in the event of nonpayment, they have higher interest rates than other types of loans.

 

Also Read | 10 Best Credit Cards in India


 

How do Credit Cards Work?

 

Before understanding the working of credit cards debts lets first try and understand what debts really mean and how they work. 

 

A debt is something that one party owes another party, typically money. Many people and businesses utilize debt to finance significant purchases that they would not otherwise be able to afford. A debt is required to be repaid, frequently with additional interest, unless the lender forgives it. Loans, such as mortgages, auto loans, and personal loans, as well as credit cards, are the most prevalent types of debt. 

 

Most loans have a specific sum of money that the borrower must repay in full by a specified date, which could be months or years in the future. The terms of the loan will also specify how much interest, represented as a percentage of the loan sum, the borrower must pay. The interest pays the lender back for taking on the loan's risk.

 

The way credit cards and lines of credit work varies slightly. They offer credit that is revolving or open-ended and has no predetermined expiration date. The borrower is given a credit limit, and as long as they don't go over it, they are permitted to use their credit card or credit line regularly. One example of Debt-  Students who take out federal student loans to cover the cost of their education will be given a specific amount of money, which they promise to repay in the future with interest. There are now numerous repayment options available to students. If they select the so-called conventional repayment option, they will have to pay fixed monthly payments for ten years before their loan is fully repaid.

 

It's very simple to go into severe debt. Your credit limit is often low when you first apply, but if you make on-time payments consistently over time, it may increase, which may entice you to overcharge.

 

Debt repayment is challenging since payments rise and the interest accrues as the balance rises. Additionally, less money is available for your current and future obligations when cash must be used to cover past debt. Unsecured debt is credit card debt. It isn't secured by a piece of property, like your car or house, that the lender could seize and sell if a borrower stopped paying payments. However, not paying off your credit card debt might have a negative impact on your credit history and score.

 

If you don't pay off your entire balance by the due date each month, credit card debt will build up. Monthly credit card balances are subject to interest charges in the form of annual percentage rates (APR). If you don't pay off your entire balance by the due date each month, credit card debt will build up. Monthly credit card balances are subject to interest charges in the form of annual percentage rates (APR).

 

Also Read | Understanding Credit Cards & How Do Credit Cards Work


 

Ways to Avoid Credit Card Debts

 

In India, credit card usage has returned to pre-pandemic levels. Undoubtedly, a contributing reason is the quick growth of online buying and OTT consumption. Concerns about accruing debt, however, are also very widespread. The fact is that, like any other financial tool, holding a credit card balance has its benefits. One such benefit is that it raises your credit score.

 

However, using a credit card must be accompanied by prompt monthly payments. This enables you to maximize the use of your credit card and keeps you out of debt. Although everyone wants to be financially free, getting there may require some deft maneuvering. Listed below are some of the ways through which you can avoid getting trapped in these credit card debts:

 

  1. Construct a Safety Net:

 

If you don't have access to emergency funds, using a credit card can be your only way to avoid having to pay for a costly car repair, a high hospital bill, or other unforeseen expenses.

 

Even while it takes time to accumulate the frequently advised savings amount of six months' worth of living expenses, starting with a tiny sum, such as $500 or $1,000, can help you cover unforeseen costs. Instead of having to rely on debt to get you through a crisis, you can progressively increase your emergency money over time.


 

  1. Densify the problem:

 

Make a note of all of your monthly minimum payments, along with the dates on which each is due. You will be able to see a complete list of all your debts as a result, and you can then decide how to divide up the money you have available for repayment. The first step to resolving your existing debt issues and moving you closer to a workable solution is a thorough and rigorous evaluation.


 

  1. Only spend what you can afford:

 

When you see things you want to buy but actually can't afford, access to credit can be alluring. While you might rationalize that you can easily pay over time, promising your future income is risky. A better habit: save up for things you want rather than putting them on credit and only swipe your credit card for purchases you can afford to repay right away.


 

  1. Prevent Needless Balance Transfers:

 

To pay off your amount at a cheaper cost, transferring a balance from a credit card with a high interest rate to one with a lower interest rate is a wise choice. Transferring balances to circumvent the credit system, such as by skipping a payment due date, can, however, be disastrous. When the balance transfer charge is added on, transferring sums repeatedly without paying off a sizable amount of the debt can result in an ever-rising balance.


 

  1. Make behavioral adjustments:

 

You might want to alter your habits to obtain modest cost savings. For instance, you could wish to cut back on eating out frequently in order to pay off bad debt. This guarantees food cost reductions and may be good for your health. You'll realize how much you can save over time by creating a monthly budget and figuring out how much more you can save by changing your behavior.


 

  1. Create an emergency fund:

 

Saving money is a good habit. While saving money is crucial, you should also set up a separate fund for unexpected needs. For instance, you'll need money to support yourself if you get into an accident and can't work for a while. You can comfortably manage your spending if you have an emergency fund. You can get through difficult times without turning to loans if you have an emergency fund.


 

  1. Pay promptly:

 

One of the greatest methods to avoid credit card debt is to make your credit card payments on time. Your next payment due will be substantially greater if you miss one because you'll have to make two payments in addition to the late fee. It becomes more difficult to catch up, strains your finances, and tempts you to utilize credit cards to get by.


 

  1. Avoid Cash Advances:

 

You might think about obtaining a cash advance on your credit card in an emergency. But with a transaction fee, a higher interest rate, and no grace period for avoiding finance charges, it's one of the priciest credit card purchases. Lack of access to sources of funding other than debt could indicate serious financial difficulty.


 

Conclusion

 

The likelihood of going into debt increases with the number of credit cards you have. It's best not to entice yourself with thousands of dollars in available credit, even if you have strong self-control. Reducing the number of credit cards in your wallet not only helps you avoid credit card debt, it also makes it easier to manage your monthly bills.

 

Gaining financial freedom can be facilitated by maintaining sound financial management. To find out how your money is being used, keep track of your earnings and outgoing costs. Keep in mind that taking out a loan can help you because it can help you resolve an urgent financial problem. You are protected from excessive interest rates and are able to achieve your financial objectives by making on-time payments.

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