Is there really such thing as credit card debt relief? If you’re burdened by credit card debt, where can you find the much-needed help? What can you do to take control of the situation and prevent it from worsening? Here are some tips:

Stop using your credit cards. Obviously, if you don’t stop swiping those cards in your wallet, you’ll only be putting yourself in deeper debts. The number reason why most card holders get into uncontrolled debt is the high interest rates and additional costs of their credit cards. Take note that each time you carry over your balance for the next month, you automatically get charged with the interest rate. Some credit cards even come with as much as 15% interest and some charge even more. Therefore, to really get over your debts, you need to exercise control on the use of your credit card.

Monitor your account. Check your credit card account and make sure that your debts do not include unauthorized charges or bills that you’ve already paid. In case there are incorrect charges in your account, call your credit card company to clarify the matter. Be sure to examine your monthly billing statements and other mails that your credit card company sends you. There may be changes in the interest rates of your card that you’re not aware of.

Pay more than the minimum payment of your card. Some credit cards allow as low as 1% minimum payment. But submitting only the minimum pay also means carrying over your debts for a longer time. The longer you allow your balances to linger, the more costs you’ll need to shoulder. The surest way to get out of debt is to pay them off. Do your best pay as much as you can afford so you can get off your balances at the quickest time.

Pay on time. Avoid the unnecessary additional costs by submitting your payments on time. Do you know how much your credit card charges you for late payments? Don’t let credit cards penalize you just because you forgot to pay your bills on time. Be aware of your due dates and as much as possible, make it a habit to submit your payment ahead of your scheduled due date of payment.

Consolidate your credit card debt. Credit card debts can be consolidated into a single account by applying for a balance transfer credit card. Transferring all your balances from different credit cards into just one credit card is a good way to avoid confusion in submitting your payments. With the help of balance transfer card, you can keep track of your debts more easily.

Another advantage of getting a balance transfer credit card is being able to save on your interest rate charges. Most balance transfer cards have low interest or zero interest as part of its introductory offer. This means you can concentrate on paying off your debts without incurring the additional interest each month. Some credit cards offer zero interest on balance transfers for 3 months, 6 months to 1 year. Choose a credit card that offers a longer zero interest period and do your best to pay off all your balances within that time.