6 Ways to Reduce Your Debt

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If credit card debt reduction is something you are looking to do right now, then the following six tips will certainly help you to get started. You can choose to use them all, or according to your current circumstances. It is logical the more you do to reduce your debt, the sooner it will be gone.

Credit card debt reducing #1 – Debt consolidation:

Debt consolidation is a good idea if you own several debt accounts. Your primary goal is to keep up with your accounts and repayments and by having several debts at once the process becomes a lot harder to control.

Consolidating your debts into the one major debt might be the right solution for you right now. Instead of making several – hard to manage – payments each month, your consolidated loan will move into the one payment only. This will allow you to manage debt consolidation a lot easier.

Credit card debt reducing #2 – Consider snow ball card repayments:

Have you ever heard of the snowball method? This involves paying off the minimum amount of debt on each creditors bill while paying off as much as possible on the debt with the lowest interest rate, ultimately paying that particular debt off as fast as possible and then moving on to the next debt.

This whole snowball effect will trigger itself by saving you a lot of money long-term. Just be aware that this method will attract higher interest rates. You could also do this in reverse mode by paying off the debt with the highest interest rate first. Try our credit card payment calculator to see which way is better.

Credit card debt reducing #3 – Automate your credit card payments:

A great way to stay on top of credit card payments is to automate them. This can easily be done via direct debit from your savings or checking account. Doing this can have many benefits. You might get additional discounts or even a lower interest rate on your credit debt.

Some institutions allow you to schedule these payments weekly which will save you more interest.

Debt reducing #4 – Maximise payments, pay bi monthly:

Another way to reduce debt is by paying your mortgage bi-monthly or even weekly if you can. This depends on your mortgage of course. If for example you have an investment property and pay interest only, then you can’t do this. Those payments are monthly only.

By making your payments your interest rate will be reduced saving you a lot of money. Speak with your lender to clarify your options.

Debt Reducing #5 – Slow spending urges:

By reducing your urges to spend money you can also avoid a lot of debt. Many things we buy are bought unnecessary. Often we wake up the next day and wonder why in the world we bought this item anyway.

Resist temptation and try to sleep on decisions overnight if possible.

Debt Reducing #6 – Consider a second job:

If all the above credit card debt reduction and general debt reduction ways are not successfully enough for you, then the last resort might be in finding a second job or more work hours. This can boost your income which in turn can be invested into your debt. Every cent saved can turn into hundreds of dollars in interest savings over the years.

• Comparison of Top 10 Credit Card Offers

Editor's Choice: Our Top Credit Cards

Credit Card	Card Details	Interest Rate (p.a.)	Cash Advance Rate (p.a.)	Balance Transfer Rate (p.a.)	Annual fee	Interest free days (up to)
HSBC Credit Card	Editor's Choice: 0% for 6 months Balance Transfer & No Annual Fee Featuring a $0 annual fee for life, and 0% p.a. balance transfer for 6 months, the HSBC Credit Card was voted the Best Transactor Credit Card for 2010.	16.99%	20.75%	0% for 6 months	$0	55
Suncorp Clear Options Standard Visa Card	A great 12 month balance transfer offer, combined with a low annual fee and a good interest rate on purchases.	12.24%	17.99%	1.9% for 12 months	$39	0