How to Pay Off $30,000 In Credit Card Debt (2024)

To pay off $30,000 in credit card debt within 36 months, you will need to pay $1,087 per month, assuming an APR of 18%. You would incur $9,116 in interest charges during that time, but you could avoid much of this extra cost and pay off your debt faster by using a 0% APR balance transfer credit card.

The average length of a 0% APR balance transfer intro period is 13 months, according to WalletHub’s Credit Card Landscape Report, and the average balance transfer fee is 3.12% of the transferred amount. Below, you can see how much you could save while paying off $30,000 over different time frames, assuming a 12-month 0% APR period, a 3% balance transfer fee, and an 18% regular APR.

Paying Off $30,000 with a 0% APR Balance Transfer Card

Months to Payoff

Monthly Payment

Total Interest Paid

Total Savings vs. Regular Card

12

$2,575

$0

$2,127

24

$1,349

$1,484

$3,607

36

$965

$3,857

$4,359

48

$780

$6,545

$4,954

60

$672

$9,437

$5,500


Of course, these aren’t the only timelines that you could commit to with $30,000 in debt. To price out more options, try WalletHub’s debt payoff calculator. This calculator can also help you decide if transferring the $30,000 in debt to a 0% APR balance transfer credit card would save you money.

Getting a 0% APR credit card isn’t the only way to pay off $30,000 in debt. In fact, there are many options to consider, each suited for slightly different situations.

Ways to Pay Off $30,000 in Credit Card Debt

  1. 0% APR Credit Card
  2. Personal Loan
  3. Debt Settlement
  4. Debt Management Plan
  5. Bankruptcy

0% APR Credit Card

0% APR credit cards allow you to avoid interest while paying down your debts. These cards can offer 0% introductory periods on new purchases or balance transfers for up to 21 months.

Keep in mind that you may have to pay a balance transfer fee, which is usually around 3% of the transferred amount. Also, if you decide to transfer your debt to one of these credit cards, do your best to pay it off before the 0% intro period ends and the typically-high regular interest rate kicks in.

Personal Loan

Personal loans can be used to pay off $30,000 in credit card debt, assuming you can qualify for a big enough loan with a lower interest rate than your current credit card interest rate. This depends heavily on your creditworthiness.

Debt Settlement

Debt settlement is when the debtor negotiates with the creditor to pay a lump-sum that covers less than the total amount of the debt. In return, the creditor will forgive part of the debt, as well as other outstanding fees. This option is good for people who have enough money to make a large payment all at once. When taking this route, just be careful not to overextend yourself financially, or you’ll likely just end up back in debt.

Debt Management Plan

Debt management plans allow the cardholder and the lender to amend the original payment agreement by lengthening the repayment term, lowering the interest rate, and perhaps even waiving fees. Each of these modifications is meant to make the repayment process more manageable for the cardholder. Keep in mind, though, that cardholders are still expected to pay the full $30,000 with these plans.

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy should only be used as a last resort. While declaring bankruptcy may help you clear your debt, it will also damage your credit score for years.

This answer was first published on 02/07/24. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

How to Pay Off $30,000 In Credit Card Debt (2024)

FAQs

How to Pay Off $30,000 In Credit Card Debt? ›

To pay off $30,000 in credit card debt within 36 months, you will need to pay $1,087 per month, assuming an APR of 18%. You would incur $9,116 in interest charges during that time, but you could avoid much of this extra cost and pay off your debt faster by using a 0% APR balance transfer credit card.

How to pay off $30 000 in credit card debt? ›

How to Get Rid of $30k in Credit Card Debt
  1. Make a list of all your credit card debts.
  2. Make a budget.
  3. Create a strategy to pay down debt.
  4. Pay more than your minimum payment whenever possible.
  5. Set goals and timeline for repayment.
  6. Consolidate your debt.
  7. Implement a debt management plan.
Aug 4, 2023

What is the best strategy for paying off credit card debt questions? ›

The debt snowball approach is an accelerated payoff strategy that can save you both time and money. To get started, make the minimum payment on all of your credit cards. Then, if you can put additional money toward your debt each month, apply it to the card with the lowest balance.

How to clear 30k of debt? ›

Ways to clear your debt
  1. Informally negotiated arrangement.
  2. Free debt management plan (DMP )
  3. Individual voluntary arrangement (IVA)
  4. Bankruptcy.
  5. Debt relief order (DRO)
  6. Administration order.
  7. Debt consolidation and credit.
  8. Full and final settlement offer.

What is the fastest way to get out of credit card debt? ›

Strategies to help pay off credit card debt fast
  1. Review and revise your budget. ...
  2. Make more than the minimum payment each month. ...
  3. Target one debt at a time. ...
  4. Consolidate credit card debt. ...
  5. Contact your credit card provider.

How long to pay off $30,000? ›

It will take 41 months to pay off $30,000 with payments of $1,000 per month, assuming the average credit card APR of around 18%. The time it takes to repay a balance depends on how often you make payments, how big your payments are and what the interest rate charged by the lender is.

What are 4 ways to pay off credit card debt fast? ›

Some of it is made up of credit card charges, which are notoriously difficult and expensive to pay off.
  • 4 ways to pay down debt fast. ...
  • Use a popular debt repayment strategy. ...
  • Apply for a debt consolidation loan. ...
  • Consider a balance transfer credit card. ...
  • Use a debt relief program.
Apr 2, 2024

What are 3 ways to pay off credit card debt fast? ›

4 strategies to pay off credit card debt faster
  1. To tackle credit card debt head on, it helps to first develop a plan and stick to it.
  2. Focus on paying off high-interest-rate cards first or cards with the smallest balances.
  3. When you pay more than the monthly minimum, you'll pay less in interest overall.

What is the smartest way to pay off a credit card? ›

The snowball method advocates paying off the smallest balances first, so you can celebrate the small wins, which could help you build momentum. The avalanche method encourages you to pay off the balances with the highest interest rates first, so you can save money.

What are the 3 biggest strategies for paying down debt? ›

What's the best way to pay off debt?
  • The snowball method. Pay the smallest debt as fast as possible. Pay minimums on all other debt. Then pay that extra toward the next largest debt. ...
  • Debt avalanche. Pay the largest or highest interest rate debt as fast as possible. Pay minimums on all other debt. ...
  • Debt consolidation.
Aug 8, 2023

Is 30 000 in debt a lot? ›

The average amount is almost $30K. Some have more, while others have less, but it's a sobering number. There are actions you can take if you're a Millennial and you're carrying this much debt.

How can I pay off my credit card debt if I have no money? ›

  1. Using a balance transfer credit card. ...
  2. Consolidating debt with a personal loan. ...
  3. Borrowing money from family or friends. ...
  4. Paying off high-interest debt first. ...
  5. Paying off the smallest balance first. ...
  6. Bottom line.
Feb 9, 2024

How can I pay off my credit card debt with low income? ›

SHARE:
  1. Step 1: Stop taking on new debt.
  2. Step 2: Determine how much you owe.
  3. Step 3: Create a budget.
  4. Step 4: Pay off the smallest debts first.
  5. Step 5: Start tackling larger debts.
  6. Step 6: Look for ways to earn extra money.
  7. Step 7: Boost your credit scores.
  8. Step 8: Explore debt consolidation and debt relief options.
Dec 5, 2023

How do I pay off debt if I live paycheck to paycheck? ›

Tips for Getting Out of Debt When You're Living Paycheck to Paycheck
  1. Tip #1: Don't wait. ...
  2. Tip #2: Pay close attention to your budget. ...
  3. Tip #3: Increase your income. ...
  4. Tip #4: Start an emergency fund – even if it's just pennies. ...
  5. Tip #5: Be patient.

Is there a government credit card debt relief program? ›

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a government-sponsored program for credit card debt relief. In fact, if you receive a solicitation that touts a government program to get you out of debt, you may want to think twice about working with that company.

Is credit card forgiveness legit? ›

But the harsh truth lies somewhere short of "totally erased" and "no consequences." To be clear, debt forgiveness does exist, and it's possible to settle your debt for less than what you owe. But to get it totally erased is rare, and it usually requires an extreme measure, such as bankruptcy.

Is $30,000 a lot of debt? ›

That's the average debt of a college grad – and on a new car

It may be necessary, if you need a car to function. But given that the eventual resale or trade-in value will always be less than you paid, it's an expensive debt.

How long to pay off $25,000 credit card? ›

$25,000 at 20%: Your minimum payment would be $666.67 per month and it would take 437 months to pay off $25,000 at 20% interest. You would pay $41,056.85 in interest over the life of the debt.

How can I pay off $40 K in debt fast? ›

To pay off $40,000 in credit card debt within 36 months, you will need to pay $1,449 per month, assuming an APR of 18%. You would incur $12,154 in interest charges during that time, but you could avoid much of this extra cost and pay off your debt faster by using a 0% APR balance transfer credit card.

What is the maximum amount you should ever owe on a credit card with a $1000 credit limit? ›

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends keeping your credit utilization under 30%. If you have a card with a credit limit of $1,000, try to keep your balance below $300.

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