Credit card debt accounts for the biggest debt a person carries.  Why is that? Probably because we think we can't live without that piece of plastic that opens doors to all kinds of buying power. When it comes to reducing some of that debt, though we are left without a clue in some cases. The first thing you have to do is check to see what rate if interest you are paying for your cards. I bet you don't even know how much that can be, and when you look you will be floored!  I know I was. Paying a minimum payment will take you 30 years to pay off a high balance. And if you keep using the card, you will most likely never pay it off!  Call the company that issued the card and ask for a lower rate of interest. If you have made all your payments on time and your credit is in good shape, they most likely will offer you a better rate. That's one way.  You can transfer your balance(s) to a card that offers a o% rate for a certain period on all transfers, and then has a low fixed rate from then on. You can go to a bank and do a consolidation loan which allows you to pay off the credit card balances, and you will pay the one monthly payment to the bank at a much lower rate. Try to use only one credit card, and only use it for absolute emergencies.  Switch to a debit card instead. You will find that you don't buy nearly as much as you did, because the money comes directly out of your checking account!