Sometimes things happen that are out of our control, and we don't have enough cash on hand to pay for what we need. Sometimes, we use a credit card to buy the newest toy or gadget because we just have to have it. But it can be annoying when the bill comes.
If things get too bad, we might end up with a lot of credit card debt and no easy way to pay it off. We end up paying a lot of interest, sometimes for years after the purchase. If you're having trouble with credit card debt, there are places you can go for help.
The first step is to try to get your card's interest rate lowered. You can do this one of two ways. The first and probably easiest way is to call the customer service number for your credit card company and ask for a lower rate.
They'll tell you in seconds if you qualify for a better rate or not, and you'll be surprised how often you can get it just by asking.
The second way to get a better rate is to apply for a new card whose interest rate is better than the one you already have. Then, you can move the balance from the card with the higher interest rate to the card with the lower interest rate to save the difference in interest.
You can also get help with your credit card debt by going to credit counselling. There are many credit counselling services that can help you work with your current creditors to get a better rate and a more reasonable payment plan. Since these services work with credit card companies all the time, they often have better luck than you would if you called them yourself.
Most of the time, credit counselling is a free service, or if you do have to pay, it's a small fee. You'll need to have your credit card information and a list of all your creditors and how much you owe to each one ready for them.
They can use that information to figure out the best way for you to pay based on your situation. Don't keep trying to keep up with your credit card debt if it's making you feel like you can't handle it. Talk to a credit counselling service to start getting back on your feet.
