What's the Real Answer to Your Credit Card Debt?

In this period of economic downturn, the interest rates are falling fast.  However in contrast, the rates of interest charged on credit cards are still higher. There are increasing at times!  Experts suggest that this is the ideal time for debt consolidation.

When you have to pay a number of debts, some people argue that you should concentrate on only a few and try to clear them as your first priority.  This one-by-one approach will be target oriented and will encourage you to put more and more money to clear your debts.  Some others argue that you should approach a debt consolidation company instead and they will organize for you the re-payment in a systematic way.  They will stop all your creditors from pressurizing you and they will be able to bargain a good rate of interest for you.  They will also boost your morale to bring your credit crisis to normalcy.

Debt consolidation appears to be a better alternative. However, while accepting a debt consolidation program, you should realize that you are committed long-term for the repayment of your obligations.  During this period, you will make only a single payment to the consolidation company and they will in turn distribute it to your creditors.

However, debt consolidation is just adding all your debts together and convincing your creditors that if they accept some compromise in their dues, it is more likely that they will see their money.  This is not actual reduction in your debt.  This is the method of easy repayment of your debt and not reducing it.

So what is the real method of reducing your debt?  The answer can be given only in three words - stop your spending!  If you are really serious about clearing your debts, you should resist the temptation of shopping.  You should realize that the word 'credit' is a synonym for the word 'debt'.  Estimate your earnings, decided spending pattern by appropriate budgeting and then stick to it.  Once you are committed to a debt consolidation program, remember that your money should go to such program as a first priority.  Even if you pay more than your pre-set installment, that is not going to harm you!

A first few months of your debt consolidation program will carry very low rate of interest.  That is a good opportunity for you to clear your debt as fast as possible.  Try to increase your earnings, and divert that money towards re-payment.  In this manner, you can go avoid the deadly trap of bankruptcy.