When we get approved for a card normally it’s because we want to build up our credit score or make big purchases. Many of us are brave enough to admit that we’re struggling to pay bills that support our lifestyle. If we still have credit cards from college, good for you. Of course, we know to make a budget, but most likely we’re not making enough money for large repairs. When we pull out the credit card it feels great until we rack up our credit card limit. Paying off credit cards might be difficult because we’re blind to how much we spend on vacations. It’s important to create a plan to help you stay on top of your payments. Start by making a budget, tracking your spending, and creating a timeline for paying off your debt. You may also want to consider consolidating your debt, negotiating with your creditors, or speaking to a financial advisor who can help you create a plan. Whatever you decide, remember to stay positive and stay focused on your goal!
A good guideline is sticking with the 30% rule. Never spend more than 30% of your credit limit to keep your debt-to-credit ratio strong. Staying under 10% is even better, but who can do that? If you have a card with a $1,000 credit limit, it’s best not to have more than a $300 balance at any time. Most Americans have some credit card debt. There are 30% of Americans between $1,001 and $5,000 in credit card debt, 15% have $5,001 or more in credit card debt and about 6% have more than $10,000 in credit card debt.
