10 Easy Ways To Avoid & Manage Credit Card Debt
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Credit cards have become part of our identity. The card you carry says something about YOU! Platinum, Gold, or even Black cardholders get a certain amount of pride when they pay at the register.

But, the average credit cardholder carries over $5,000 in credit card debt. Most paying over 20% in interest. If you’re swimming in credit card debt or just and want to stop the credit card treadmill, do at least 3 of these this week, and you can kick the habit once and for all:

1. Rely On A Debit Card That Doesn’t Charge Any Fees

A solid Visa Debit card is as valuable as any premium credit card. The annual fees on a premium (and not so premium) credit card add up fast.

GO2bank is Green Dot Bank’s digital banking initiative. Green Dot Bank was founded in 1999 and headquartered in Pasadena, CA, and services over 33 million consumers.

Go2Bank offers anyone who receives direct deposit no-cost checking and savings accounts. You will also be eligible for up to $200 in overdraft protection. Customers have 24 hours to cover their overdraft at no charge. Now that’s service. You can access over 19,000 ATMs, and your account is FDIC insured.

2. Get A Low-Interest Loan, Stick To A Budget & Stop Using Credit Cards

Finding the right personal loan and getting approved can take months. Who has months to wait for a loan? That’s why Even, the leading search, comparison, and recommendation engine for financial services, created “Fiona.”

Fiona is the fastest, easiest, most comprehensive way to search loans and savings accounts from the top providers. By filling out a simple form, Fiona checks if you are pre-approved and gets the best offers from the top providers for you in seconds so that you can get instantly matched with the right personalized recommendation all in one place. You can borrow as much as $100,000, with loan terms of up to 7 years. The interest rate you’ll pay will depend on your creditworthiness. It will take you less than 60 seconds to apply. Not even Santa works that fast. Credit card debt can get out of hand fast, but you don’t have to continue paying those outrageous interest rates.

3. Use The Cash From Stock Earnings To Pay Down Debt & Boost Your Income

Cash is king! The cash you can get from stocks is even better! Owning stock in large corporations like Amazon can be an excellent investment. But, who can afford even one share of Amazon? Stash is an app that allows you to start investing* in the stock market with just $1. By purchasing fractional shares in any public company like Amazon, Netflix, Ford, Apple, Kroger, or Walmart, anyone can afford to build real wealth at a price they can afford.

You can build a diversified portfolio with very little money. A Stash Invest account allows you to invest with as little as $.05 cents. When you open a Stash Invest account and deposit at least $5, Stash will give you a bonus of $5 to invest. The possible earnings you receive will allow you to pay off your debt.

4. Join A Reliable Credit Union & Use It For All Your Financing Options

Why pay more to finance a car or college if you don’t have to? Credit unions were founded on the philosophy of people helping people. Consumers Credit Union (aka CCU) has been serving customers for nearly 100 years. Unlike other credit unions, it’s unique that anyone can join, regardless of where you live or work. CCU has over 1,800 Service Center branches nationwide.

CCU offers some of the nation’s most competitive loan rates, even for people with bad credit. Credit unions, like CCU, are more forgiving with their lending requirements than banks and other lenders. CCU even allows some borrowers to finance the total purchase amount with no downpayment.

Expert Car Loan Tip: If you open a “Membership Share/Savings Account” with just a $5.00 deposit, CCU may provide you with up to 0.5% rate reduction on your auto loan.

Being a member starts your relationship and can provide you access to mortgages, credit cards, or student loans at lower APRs. Checking your rate now will NOT affect your credit score! Rates start as low as 2.6% APR.

5. Cut You Credit Card Bill By Lowering Your Car Insurance

Every year, millions of people load their credit cards with costly auto insurance payments. But what if you could reduce your auto insurance and lower your credit card bill in the process?

Gabi can do just that for you. Gabi is an auto insurance website that allows you to upload your policy information or connect your existing insurance account. Gabi then does the rest for you.

Gabi will “shop” for a better auto insurance policy for you. Gabi will shop for multi-product insurance discounts for which you’re eligible by bundling your insurance packages like your home and auto insurance.

Because Gabi is built to pick the best and cheapest policy for you. 7 out of 10 consumers save an average of $960 when they use Gabi. Gabi can get you a new policy with Nationwide, Kemper, Travelers, Safeco, Progressive, and over 40 more auto insurance providers.

6. Use This App, Instead Of A Credit Card, For Cashback Rewards

One of the main draws of having a credit card is the promise of cashback rewards. Many of us use our debit cards for most of our everyday purchases. Those trips to the grocery store or gas station add up. That’s why you need to download theDrop app now!

Drop is an easy-to-use app that lets you earn gift cards for the money you’re already spending. Once you’ve downloaded the app, you’ll be prompted to link your debit card. Don’t worry, Drop uses bank-level encryption, so your information is more than safe!

After you’ve activated your account, you’ll choose five of your favorite stores. You will want to pick the largest stores you shop at the most like Wal-Mart, Starbucks, Exxon, Target, Amazon or wherever you spend the most money.

That’s it. You shop and earn points. Drop will allow you to redeem the point for gift cards to stores like Amazon, Walmart, Target, and more.

7. Make A New Monthly Budget & Stop Using Credit Cards To Fill The Gaps

Digit is a handy app that lets you save money for any goal you have in mind. We would suggest using Digit to make an emergency fund and pay down debt.

Digit by analyzing your saving and spending habits, then deducting small amounts from your account whenever Digit determines you can afford it. This simple, painless saving method can add up over time.

Not only can Digit help you save automatically, but it can help you also pay down your credit card debt. Digit’s Credit Card Debt Reduction feature lets you make automatic payments to your credit card company with the money held in your Digit account.

8. Don’t Use Credit Cards For Home Remodeling, Do This Instead

Many homeowners rely on their credit cards to make home improvements. Why pay a high APR% when a personal loan could save you more money.

Credible offers loans from $600 - $100,000. Credible is free to use and offers rates as low as 4.99%. Credible is so confident it can find you the best rate, they offer the best rate guarantee. If you’re thinking of updating your kitchen, bath, or any home improvement project - get a free quote from Credible first.

9. Earn Extra Cash Watching Videos To Pay Off Credit Card Debt

InboxDollars is one of the world’s leading online rewards clubs and works with top brand names like Walmart, Netflix, Target, and H&R Block. Earn up to $225 a month shopping, reading email offers, and even watching online TV right on your mobile device.

How it Works: Choose a video selection (including TV shows, movie previews, cooking videos, and more). InboxDollars lets you know how long each playlist runs, from a few minutes to a half-hour. Select a playlist, watch, and earn cash. Signing up with InBoxDollars is fast and easy.

10. Don’t Rack Up Credit Card Debt With Costly Repair Bills

The average auto repair bill is about $600! If you have car issues twice in one year, that a whopping $1,200 out the window. Financing these costs on your credit card can be VERY expensive! That’s why having an affordable warranty makes sense.

Olive is the perfect auto warranty service for people on a budget. Olive allows you to choose your coverage based on your individual needs. There are no waiting periods with Olive. You can have coverage instantly to cover costly repairs that can occur. Olive is exceptionally affordable. The average service covers the expensive engine, transmission, front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, steering, front suspension, brake system, air conditioning, electrical, towing reimbursement, rental car reimbursement, and more.

Olive is a fraction of what other warranty companies cost. Get a free quote, and make sure you don’t load your credit card with costly repair bills.

*Paid non-client endorsement. See Apple App Store and Google Play reviews. View important disclosures. Investment advisory services offered by Stash Investments LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This material has been distributed for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment, legal, accounting, or tax advice. Investing involves risk. This material is not intended as investment advice and is not meant to suggest that any securities are suitable investments for any particular investor. Investment advice is only provided to Stash customers. The offer is subject to Promotion Terms & Conditions.