Caught in a Credit Card Debt Trap - Skint Dad (2024)

Caught in a Credit Card Debt Trap - Skint Dad (1)

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If you have a credit card, how long do you think it will take to clear the debt? A few months, 3 years, 17 years?

One in five credit card users only pays the minimum amount off their credit card. This means that it could take them 17 years to clear the amount they owed – yes you heard me 17 years – which would mean paying back more than double the amount originally borrowed.

The latest research from Zopa has found that credit card habits in the UK are a major concern.

A massive 55% of credit card users are unaware of the interest rate on their card and, on average, Britain has £4,500 of credit card debt and think it would take 3 years and 11 months to clear the debt.

That’s quite unrealistic if just you’re making the minimum payment.

Paying the minimum amount off your credit card is not going to clear it any time soon.

Do you know how long it will actually take you clear your credit card? It might surprise you to find out.

Have a look at StepChange’s credit card repayment calculatorto get an idea of how many years you’ll be paying back.

To clear your credit card debt off quicker, try these steps to get a zero balance in sooner than 17 years!

Stop using the card

If you’ve got caught in a credit trap it is easier said than done.

Surviving till payday when salaries are not moving up but all the bills are is tough!

There are two potential options for this. You can either spend a little less on the card each month and wean yourself off spending.

This will allow you to get used to having that buffer for a few months.

Ask the card provider to lower the amount you can spend each month so you know that you don’t have the extra to fall back on, otherwise it may be a tempter to use it again.

The other option is to just stop. Don’t use it anymore at all. This could leave you very short for a month but it’ll mean that you’ve broken the habit.

Stop new interest

Well, you can try to stop interest but not all companies will allow this – it really doesn’t hurt to try as, if they do, it will make paying your credit card off easier!

Once you’ve stopped using the card, speak or write to the credit card company and ask whether they would freeze any new interest against the debt.

It is best for you to be as fully prepared as possible with evidence of why you want the interest to be frozen.

Consider creating a Statement of Affairs (SOA) which will detail all your incoming and outgoings and will make it clear to the card company how you are dealing with your finances (and how much spare money you have left at the end of each month to clear your debt).

If they won’t freeze the interest, ask instead if they will lower the interest amount that you’re paying. Every little helps and all that.

Stop paying the lowest amount

The reason credit cards can take so long to pay back is because of the minimum payment.

If you are paying the smallest amount back each month, although you are reducing your debt (if only slightly) you are also finding that interest gets added back on top again – it’s like trying to dig a hole with a teaspoon!

The only way to clear the debt quicker is to increase the monthly amount you pay off the credit card.

Consider cutting back in other areas of your budget, looking to sell some of your unwanted items or look to take on a secondary income.

Start clearing your debt

If you’re struggling with debt, please be sure to talk to someone about it.

You can get free debt advice from trained professionals at National Debtline, Step Change or Citizen’s Advice. They’ll be able to fully guide you through the best options for you.

Don’t bury your head in the sand as I did.

I took too long to realise the debt trap I was in but, because I started to talk about it and started to tackle my debt, I am now chipping away at it and am starting to visualise a life without debt.

If I can do it, you can too.

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Ricky Willis

A little bit of everything at Skint Dad

Ricky Willis is the original Skint Dad. A money-making enthusiast, father, and husband to Naomi. He is always looking for unique ways to earn a little extra.

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Caught in a Credit Card Debt Trap - Skint Dad (2024)

FAQs

How to get out of credit card debt trap? ›

Opt for debt consolidation: One of the best ways to get out of a debt trap is debt consolidation. This means that you can take a new, lower-cost Personal Loan and pay of several of your pending debts. When you consolidate your debt, you are combining multiple debts into a single debt.

What is the credit card debt puzzle? ›

The scenario in which consumers revolve unpaid credit card debt while maintaining some liquid assets, typically as a balance in their bank accounts, is known as the credit card debt puzzle.

How to beat Discover card in court? ›

Summary: If you're being sued by a debt collector, here are five ways you can fight back in court and win: 1) Respond to the lawsuit, 2) make the debt collector prove their case, 3) use the statute of limitations as a defense, 4) file a Motion to Compel Arbitration, and 5) negotiate a settlement offer.

Is a credit card a debt trap? ›

While some people with Credit Cards do get caught up in debt traps, it has more to do with their improper spending habits than anything else.It seems easy to waive off improper spending habits and poorly planned finances by pinning it on Credit Cards, but what this does is chip away at the various benefits Credit Cards ...

What is the credit card pay trick? ›

You make one payment 15 days before your statement is due and another payment three days before the due date. By doing this, you can lower your overall credit utilization ratio, which can raise your credit score. Keeping a good credit score is important if you want to apply for new credit cards.

Do we receive credit card debt forgiveness? ›

While it's highly unlikely that any credit card company will forgive 100% of your debt without it being part of a bankruptcy, you may be able to negotiate a settlement with your lenders in which they forgive a percentage of the balance you owe.

What is the sweet spot for credit card debt? ›

Using 30% or less of your credit limit is favorable to the credit bureaus. Consider this the sweet spot for maximizing rewards and credit-building while avoiding high utilization.

How likely will a credit card company sue you? ›

Summary: On average, credit card companies sue for non-payment in 1 out of 7 cases, or about 14.5% of the time. If you're being sued for credit card debt, use SoloSuit to respond and win in court.

How likely is it that a collection agency will sue? ›

How likely is it that you will be sued for a debt? According to one Consumer Financial Protection Bureau report, 1 in 7 — or about 15% — of consumers contacted about a debt in collections were sued. But the likelihood of a debt collection lawsuit depends on several factors.

What happens if a credit card company sues you and you can't pay? ›

You may lose the ability to dispute the debt, if you believe you don't owe it or that the amount is wrong, and depending on your situation and your state's laws, the creditor may be able to: Garnish your wages. Place a lien against your property. Move to freeze funds in your bank account.

Does credit card debt go to court? ›

If you have credit card debt that the creditor claims you did not pay, you may be facing issues with debt collectors or even a lawsuit. The steps below give an overview of the typical steps involved in credit card debt lawsuits.

Can credit card debt take your bank account? ›

Can a debt collector access my bank account? Yes, a debt collector can take money that you owe them directly from your bank account, but they have to win a lawsuit first. This is known as garnishing. The debt collector would warn you before they begin a lawsuit.

What can happen if you fall into the credit card trap? ›

If you miss a credit card payment, then the bank can charge you interest on top of the original payment owed. If this happens repeatedly, the interest can grow significantly or “snowball,” meaning you will owe more and more each month. People refer to this as a debt trap, and it can hurt your credit score.

How do you break a debt trap? ›

The first step getting out of a debt spiral is to stop borrowing money. Credit cards are a common cause of a debt cycle, so try to avoid spending any more on them. Try to pay in cash, write a check, or use a no-fee debit card to make your purchases. This way, you will not be charged any more interest on your purchases.

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