Join our FREE personalized newsletter for news, trends, and insights that matter to everyone in America

Newsletter
New

Advice On Old Credit Card Debt.

Card image cap

Hello! I am searching for advice on how to address old credit card debt. This was accumulated through family hardship that impacted my personal business causing it to suddenly close and us to move states, not a spending spree. I have not used these cards in 2+ years and 2 of the accounts are closed. Discover (closed) has 5,800 Chase (closed) at 1,800 and American Express at 1,000. I realize it is not a lot, but making the monthly minimum really hurts to see Discover's payment being $152 with $132 of that being interest. They all have 23-25% APR

We are doing the snowball method, which is why American Express is so low and will soon be gone. Those payment will then go to Chase and then Discover. We pay extra when I get bonuses at work, but it just feels so slow. My credit score is 620, it tanked really hard over a year ago when Discover and Chase closed and has been steadily climbing, but according to my bank it is still too low for a loan to cover these and lower interest.

I also owe the IRS 4,800. We file separately so my full refund goes to this and monthly payments as well. Interest hovering around 7%. Minimum is $67 and I pay $126. Paying heavily on this because we want to be able to file jointly to increase our return and actually receive that money asap. In the past we have really needed some return for home/car repair, but my husband is thinking about filing jointly this year and letting them have it all to pay it off. Is this a good idea?

Is my only choice for the credit cards to just keep chipping away at this so slow?

Combined income of around 130,000 Mortgage 1,400 Daycare 1,000 Car 450 IRS 126 Credit card payments at minimum 300, this varies depending on when we can throw extra at the payment Other utilities around 500 +Groceries/household goods/diapers/kids clothing for family of 4 and 2 cats 1500 We eat out once a month, all other meals at home. We have $2500 in savings

submitted by /u/Sooosha
[link] [comments]