Help!! I need to pay off my credit cards!

[09Lexie]

Which is? Have you found out your rate on Cap 1?

[MaRain]

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@shalane85 wrote:
@Anonymous, I need some advice on how do I best pay off three of my high limit credit cards! One is capitol one, $7500 limit, 0%, two navy Feds , $6k @ 10.99%, and $10k @ 7.9%. Minimum payments are $74, $188, and $115.

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Since your balances are relatively close (within 3k of each other), perhaps paying at least the minimum due (plus extra to cover the interest ) and then using the extra money to pay more on the card with the highest interest) might make a noticable difference?

For me, it was discouraging to make a payment just to see the interest gobble it up (3 steps forward and at least 1 back). In my case, for the cards with low balances that I can pay down to, or maintain, at least 9% utilization each month works. Then paying extra toward the higher interest cards helps. 

Recently I found a pretty decent free snowball calculator on the vertex42 website.

Good luck and please post your progress. 

[trying_to_B_good]

SNOWBALL!!!

[jeffery581]

It really doesn't matter. Just pick one and pay pay pay

[shalane85]

It absolutely matters. By the way Cap One is 17% so they have to go first.

[NewtoCredit80]

Nobody seems to suggesting that you try to cut your existing expenses to pay down the balance so I would do the same. You should look at all the bills and try to cut your expenses ( cable & cell phone). Credit card interest takes away your future consumption so it is good to hear that you want to pay off your cc debt. Keep us updated on your progress. Bet of luck.

[Rhaeny]

Here is a FREE online snowball calculator.  You just enter your information and they give you all sorts of variations to pay your debt off.  I use it and I really love it because it lets me see how much interest I will pay running different what-if scenarios.  I think you should try it OP so that you can better understand your situation.

UnDebit IT

[shalane85]

I think I will cut some expenses like cable and Internet to save money. I work a lot so I won't miss the cable as much.

[Woolfman]

Everyone has their own method ... Some prefer the snowball ignoring the interest you are paying on the other cards. Some prefer to pay off the highest interest regardless of balances. You have to pick what is right for you.  But the best way to pay it off is to cut back on all unneeded spending and pay as much as you possibly can. I know exactly where you are coming from  my balance on my NFCU card in march of last year was maxed to $20,000  my psecu card had $2,954.60  and my alliant card had $2,459.03 and after good bonuses , promotions and raises. As of today there is only 500.00 left on the NFCU card and by the end of the month that will be done!  Just keep focused and do a budget. You got this!

[shalane85]

Thank you so much for the encouraging words. I feel so empowered. I'm going to knock this debt out as soon as possible. I will keep everyone posted.