How to Pay Off Credit Cards Without Consolidating

By Erica Roth

  • Overview

    In tough financial times, many people must turn to using their credit cards for basic expenses. Debt piles up very quickly and can be difficult to get rid of. Cutting corners from your budget and being proactive when dealing with your creditors may be options for you to pay off your credit cards, without having to consolidate your debts and loans.

    • Step 1

      Stop adding to your credit card debt. Paying off your credit cards and other debts without consolidating your expenses is difficult to do when you are adding more charges at the same time. Use your cards only in cases of emergency.

    • Step 2

      Examine your monthly budget by using old bills from the past several months. Looking at where you spend your money can help determine the areas in which you can cut costs or luxuries you can do without. You can put the money you are able to save toward your credit card debt.

    • Step 3

      Pay off the credit card with the highest interest rate first to save yourself money in the long run. Try to send more than the minimum payment amount each month. If you have several high interest credit cards, choose one to pay down more quickly while still sending minimum payments to the other creditors.

    • Step 4

      Call your creditors to negotiate a lower interest rate. The credit card company may or may not comply with your request, but you lose nothing by asking. A lower interest rate may help you pay off your credit card debt more quickly without having to turn to consolidation.

    • Step 5

      Find out about "even payment" or "budget" plans that your utility companies and other local service providers may offer. Lower monthly gas, oil or electric bills may free up some cash that you can use to pay down your credit card debt.
    • Skill: Moderately Easy
    • Tip: Call your credit card companies as soon as possible when you find you can't make your minimum payments. Working together, you may be able to set up an alternative payment schedule without having to consolidate your debts. Skipping a payment without notifying your creditors may harm your credit rating and will incur expensive late-payment charges.

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