Credit cards are often the easiest way to borrow money, but with many charging high rates of interest, costs can add up quickly if you aren’t careful.
The Money Charity, which aims to help people achieve financial wellbeing by managing their money better, estimates that the average UK household currently has £1,945 of credit card debt, so you’re not alone if you’re finding it hard to pay back what you owe.
Here, we look at ways to tackle your credit card debts and stay on top of your spending.
Where to start when paying off your credit cards
If your credit card bills are mounting up and you aren’t sure how to take control of your debts, the first thing you need to do is to get to grips with exactly how much you owe and to which card providers.
Start by making a list that includes each card, how much you owe on it, the interest rate you’re paying and any interest rate date changes, such as a 0% balance transfer period ending. This might look something like this:
| Card name | Amount owed | Interest rate | Date new rate applies |
| Card 1 | £3,000 | 0% | 31 Dec 2022 – 19.9% |
| Card 2 | £1,000 | 15.4% | – |
| Card 3 | £700 | 37% | – |
One of the key things that will determine the next move you make is the interest rates you’re paying. If, for example, you’re being charged a particularly high interest rate on one of your cards, it’s generally a good idea to start paying off that one first, even if you have a smaller balance on this card than some of the others. While it can feel counterintuitive to pay off a card that you owe less on first, if you don’t address those with the biggest interest rates, the amount you owe could spiral out of your control.
To give you an example, when looking at the table above, you might think the best card to start paying off is Card 1, which has the largest amount owed on it. However, as you’re currently paying a 0% introductory rate, the amount you owe is not going to change until the introductory period ends. On Cards 2 and 3 however, interest is being charged and the amount you owe will gradually be creeping up. If no money is paid off, Card 2 will cost you £154 in interest alone this year, whilst Card 3 will cost you £259, so although it has the smallest balance, paying off Card 3 should be your priority. Remember too, that if you don’t make at least the minimum repayment each month, you’ll face other fees and charges on top of the interest you owe.
How does credit card interest work?
Many of us don’t fully understand how interest is applied to our credit card debts, and often the information we get from our banks can seem quite confusing. It’s useful to understand how interest is applied as it can help you make decisions about which credit card is likely to best suit your needs.
It’s worth noting that most credit cards charge different interest rates for different transactions. These rates fall into the following categories:
Purchase rate – this is the interest rate applied to anything that you buy using your credit card, whether that’s your morning coffee or a TV. Many banks will offer an interest-free period on purchases, which allows you a period of time to pay off what you owe before interest is applied. These interest-free periods will vary in length depending on the card. Once the introductory 0% purchase rate ends, you’ll start paying interest often at a high rate, so you should always try to pay off what you owe during the interest-free period.
Cash Advance rate – this is the interest rate applied on any cash withdrawals you make using your credit card. Cash advances usually have much higher interest rates than the purchase rate, so if possible try to limit your credit card usage to purchases, and stick to using a debit card to withdraw cash.
Balance Transfer rate – Some credit cards allow you to transfer your credit card balance across to them, and you’ll usually pay no interest on these balance transfers for a set period of time. Bear in mind that after the 0% balance transfer introductory rate finishes, the interest rate is likely to rise considerably, so it’s important to try to pay off what you owe in full before this happens.
Credit card rates are shown as Annual Percentage Rates or APRs. The APR gives you a broad view of how much interest you are likely to pay annually on the money you borrow.
It’s worth noting that when your bank quotes a ‘representative’ APR, they are only required to provide that interest rate to 51% of customers because it is representative of the average amount paid. If your credit rating is less than perfect, you might be offered a higher rate. Our article Seven steps that could improve your credit score explains how you might be able to improve your credit rating so you can qualify for the most competitive rates available.
How to stay on top of your credit cards
More than half (56%) of credit card holders in the UK don’t pay off their credit card balance in full each month, according to trade body UK Finance, and therefore may be racking up interest on their debts. While it’s fairly commonplace to be in this position, you don’t want to be continually just paying off the interest, so here are our top tips for staying on top of your credit cards:
1. Try to pay more than the minimum payments
Minimum payments are usually either a percentage of your account balance or a cash amount, so, for example, you might be required to pay 2% of your balance or £25, whichever is higher. While many people can only afford to pay the minimum each month, doing so could mean it takes years to pay off what you owe, and you’ll fork out far more in interest than you actually spent in the first place.
The issue with only making the minimum payments is that even though you are very gradually chipping away at the amount you’ve borrowed, most of your money will be going towards paying off the interest you owe.
You should be able to repay what you owe much faster if you can pay back a fixed amount each month that’s higher than the minimum payment.
2. Set a budget
Creating a budget and sticking to it can help you stay in control of your money, helping you free up cash to pay off your credit cards. Our articles Budgeting if your income has reduced and How to save money – 17 money saving tips can help you work out a monthly budget and reduce your outgoings.
3. Pay by Direct Debit
If you have been working hard to pay off your credit card, the last thing you want is to forget a payment and get stung by late payment fees. By setting up a direct debit you can make sure you never miss a payment. You can set it up to pay back as much as you can afford each month.
4. Consider transferring your balance
The best way to stay in control of your credit cards is to reduce the amount you owe, however for some people, the interest they are paying makes this virtually impossible. If you are in this position, it could be worth trying to get a balance transfer card which offers a lengthy 0% introductory rate, or a low cost personal loan to consolidate your debts. Find out more about these options in our article Balance transfer credit cards and personal loans compared.
If you have a lower credit rating, it may be harder for you to get a balance transfer card. If this is the case and you have more than one credit card, it may be possible for you to transfer your balance to your card with the lowest interest rate. You will usually have to pay a one off transfer fee when you move your balance over, but you should hopefully save money in the long term.
Where to go for help
If your situation is becoming overwhelming and you are struggling to stay on top of your credit cards, get in touch with your card providers as soon as possible and let them know you’re experiencing difficulties. They may be able to negotiate an affordable repayment plan with you, but if they’re unable to help, seek professional advice as soon as possible.
There are plenty of free sources of advice available and many charities and organisations can help you negotiate with your creditors on your behalf. These include:
- Citizens Advice – 0800 144 8848 (England) 0800 702 2020 (Wales)
- StepChange – 0800 138 1111
- National Debtline – 0808 808 4000
- The Money Charity – 020 7062 8933
- PayPlan – 0800 280 2816
Whatever happens, don’t suffer in silence, as dealing with debts on your own can take a real toll on your mental health. If you are finding it hard to cope, our article Are money worries affecting your mental health? explains where to go for help if you need someone to talk to.
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