Here are some strategies that can help you dig out of holiday debt

While some Americans are still recovering from holiday festivities, many others may have lingering effects of spending regrets. Overall U.S. retail sales increased 7.6% year-over-year between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24, according to the latest Mastercard SpendingPulse survey.

For many consumers, the amount of debt they took on to pay for holiday purchases grew as well. A new LendingTree study found 35% of Americans amassed holiday debt in 2022. The average amount was $1,549, the highest level since 2015 when the survey was first taken. And 37% of those taking on holiday debt said it would take them at least five months to pay it off.

If you want to pay off your holiday debt well before this summer, here are seven steps you need to take now.

If your credit score is “good” to “excellent” — a FICO score of 670 or higher on a scale of 300 to 850 — you’re more likely to qualify for lower interest rates on credit cards, car loans and mortgages, experts say. So having a good score can have a dramatic impact on the cost of your debt. The more you cut the cost of the debt, the faster you’ll pay it off. 

Some credit card companies will provide your credit score for free. It’s often on your billing statement. To improve your score, start by checking your credit report and disputing any errors.

Through the end of 2023, you can get a free weekly copy of your report from each of the major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — at annualcreditreport.com.

Of course, you should pay your bills on time every time.

Also, don’t get too close to your credit limit on your cards. Using less than 30% of your available credit can help you maintain your score, credit experts say, while using less than 10% can actually help raise that number.

Apply for a card with an introductory 0% annual percentage rate offer on balance transfers. Transfer your current credit card balances to that new card. You may be charged a 3% fee on the amount you transfer, but you’ll pay no interest on your debt for 12 to 20 months. 

“A 0% balance transfer card, if you have good enough credit to get one, is the best weapon against credit card debt,” said Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree. “You can get almost two years without gaining interest.” 

Again, you generally have to have a good or excellent credit score to qualify for the best offers. Also, you probably won’t be able to do a balance transfer with the same card issuer. 

If you don’t ask for a lower rate, you won’t get it. But if you do ask, you probably will. A Lending Tree survey found 70% of people who asked for a lower interest rate on a card got one, and the average reduction was seven percentage points.

Making this phone call now is more important than ever….