It’s reasonable that consumers carry credit cards in case of an emergency. However, those cards can come with a hefty price tag that may become hard to pay off. There are ways that California consumers can use their existing income to pay off their credit card debt.
One case mentioned in a recent article features a single mom who has an overwhelming amount of monthly bills. Her expenses include $755 per month for private school and $1,700 per month for her mortgage. In addition, her monthly credit card expenses are almost $800. One of the primary ways to eliminate credit card debt is for consumers to cut down on expenses if they are not necessary. This may generate additional reserves to pay off debt even faster.
Understandably, certain expenses are mandatory, such as mortgage and food. She may benefit by cutting out the tuition for private school and researching A-rated public schools in her area to place her children in instead. The woman may also be able to increase her monthly income by enforcing child support on her children’s father.
Credit cards can come in handy for those who are living paycheck to paycheck and for emergencies. Credit cards are also some of the most primary reasons why consumers find themselves in a sinking ship. This type of debt is common for most California consumers and if credit card debt is still too much to handle after cutting out expenses and increasing income, consumers may want to consider a bankruptcy filing. Bankruptcy can help discharge most debts that are unmanageable and improve one’s financial situation.
Source: Los Angeles Times, How to pay down credit card debt, Liz Weston, Nov. 24, 2013