How Can I Pay My Holiday Credit Card Debt?

The excellent news Laura is that you recognise your holiday credit card debt is going to be high in the New Year and that you want to start taking steps today to eliminate your debts. Quickly eliminating your debt is possible, but you must prepare for some hard work and sacrifice in the months ahead.

Start by setting some financial goals

Be SMART about these goals. They need to be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely. For example, your goal may be to “pay down $5,000 in credit card debt by March 1, 2014″.

Now I don’t want you to make this goal and forget about it. To be relevant, you need to write your goal down on a piece of paper and post it where you will see it daily. Use this as a regular reminder of the goal you set

Budget

Next, start working towards this goal with a budget. I know “budget” can sound a lot like a bad word, but much like going to the gym or sticking to a diet, budgeting is a lifestyle choice. Less than half of Canadians use a budget. Perhaps this is why we have so many people in debt.

Budgeting will help you set your financial boundaries and work diligently towards reaching the financial goals you have set for yourself.

Because you want to dig yourself out of debt quickly, you need to be ruthless about reaching your financial goal – and that may mean making some aggressive cuts to your household budget. In short, I want you to take a good look at the spending side of your budget. If an expense isn’t necessary, I want you to cut it out completely.

Remember, these sacrifices are only temporary, and you can come back to the expenses you cut once you have reached your financial goal. In the meantime, all extra cash flow needs to go towards eliminating those sky-high credit card bills.

Final Thoughts

If your goal is to get out of debt quickly, then don’t wait until the New Year. Start making cuts to your spending today and dedicate all available cash towards reaching your debt elimination goals.

Jeffrey Schwartz
Executive Director

Jeffrey Schwartz is the Executive Director of Consolidated Credit Counseling Services of Canada and President of the Credit Association of Greater Toronto (CAGT).

If you have a question about your credit or just about finance in general, Jeff is here to help. Send us an email with your question to [email protected]. You’ll get the expert advice you need, and your question may be featured here on our website.