Kill Credit Card Debt in 18 Months
Two methods that actually work, picked by personality not math.
You carry a balance on one or more cards at 18%+ APR.
A written payoff schedule, the lowest possible interest rate, and a calendar date you'll be debt-free.
Credit card APRs eat 18–29% of your principal every year. Nothing in the legal market beats that return, so paying it off is your highest-yield investment until it's gone.
- 01
List every debt on one page
Card name, balance, APR, minimum payment, due date. Sort once by APR (avalanche) and once by balance (snowball).
→ Open the credit card payoff calculator - 02
Pick avalanche or snowball — honestly
Avalanche (highest APR first) saves the most money. Snowball (smallest balance first) gives you wins and is more likely to stick. Pick the one you'll actually finish.
PitfallChoosing avalanche because it's 'mathematically optimal' then quitting after 3 months. - 03
Lower the rate before you pay it off
Every percentage point you cut shows up forever. Try these in order:
- ▸Call your issuer, ask for a hardship rate (10–14% is common)
- ▸Apply for a 0% balance-transfer card if your score is 680+
- ▸Consider a credit-union personal loan at 8–12% for consolidation
- 04
Find the extra payment
Pick one fixed dollar amount above the minimum. Even $100/month on a $5,000 balance shaves 18+ months off.
- ▸Auto-pay minimums on every card the day after payday
- ▸Auto-pay the extra on the target card 3 days later
- ▸Cut up or freeze the cards you're not actively using
- 05
Plan the exit
When the last card hits zero, do not close it (your utilization improves with the open line). Redirect the entire payment to a real emergency fund of 3 months expenses.