CBS News
What are the cheapest ways to get out of debt? Here’s what experts say
![](https://assets3.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2024/04/12/5538c78c-f3ae-46d5-8303-60b08fc610ae/thumbnail/1200x630/465493206c2b86bca944a3ccf063d69d/gettyimages-1399824544.jpg?v=c0ff3069549804234360eec4c5e30dea)
Getty Images
If you’re carrying variable-interest debt on credit cards or other credit products, you’ve likely noticed an uptick in interest over the past few years. The Fed implemented a series of rate hikes throughout 2022 and 2023 to help fight inflation, which caused lenders to increase the rates on their credit products. For example, the average rate on U.S. credit card accounts went from 14.71% in 2020 to 21.47% by late 2023.
To give you an idea of how that translates, if you have $5,000 in credit card debt and a 14% APR, you’ll owe about $58 in interest charges per month compared to about $87 per month with a 21% APR. And the cost difference compounds over time. If you’re paying off the balance through monthly payments of $150, the 21% APR will cost you an estimated $1,115 more in interest than the 14% APR and will require eight more payments.
When coupled with elevated inflation rates, today’s higher interest rates are leaving many pinching pennies. “Inflation and elevated interest rates are the ‘double whammy’ making it harder for Americans to make ends meet,” says Dan Nickele, vice president of Discover Personal Loans.
Learn more about your debt relief options online today.
What are the cheapest ways to get out of debt? Here’s what experts say
If you want help paying down your debt, particularly high-interest credit card debt, you can consider a variety of options, such as debt consolidation, debt relief plans or even bankruptcy. But which route is the most cost-effective? Here are six strategies experts recommend.
Start with your budget
“The first step that the indebted consumer needs to take is to complete a frank and honest review of their budget,” says George Vogl, JD/MBA, managing director at Stretto and former bankruptcy and consumer rights attorney.
To reduce your debt load, Vogl says, you need to eliminate and reduce unnecessary spending. For example, you might be able to cut down on expenses like cable TV, streaming services, dining out, gym memberships and grocery costs.
“To get out of debt, a consumer needs to identify their minimal reasonable standard of living and stick to it. Any discretionary income after necessities should be paid to their debts, with the highest interest debts being paid first,” Vogl says.
Find out how a debt relief service could benefit you now.
Follow the avalanche method
Speaking of paying the highest debts first, the debt avalanche method is a popular and cost-effective way to pay down debt.
“Snow avalanches start at the top and work their way to the bottom. The avalanche method of debt repayment follows a similar path, focusing on the interest rate each creditor is charging,” says Sean Fox, president of debt solutions at Achieve.
To follow this method, Fox recommends the following steps:
- Make a list of all of your debts
- Rank them according to their interest rate, from highest to lowest
- Pay the monthly minimum balance on all debts and apply any extra money to the debt with the highest rate
- When that balance is paid off, move to the debt with the next highest rate
- Continue this process until all your debts are paid off
Use windfalls to make lump sum payments
It can feel frustrating to slowly chip away at a high balance on a high-interest debt because the interest continues to accumulate so quickly. One way to make a bigger impact is to prioritize paying down your debt balance when you receive a cash windfall.
“Research suggests that when people reduce debt, they generally pay a substantial amount of it at once, often from a tax refund or Economic Impact Payments during the pandemic,” says Scott Fulford, senior economist at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and author of The Pandemic Paradox.
Negotiate with creditors
Another option is to try and negotiate with your creditors.
“Organizing all your debts and evaluating the interest costs on each is the first step to planning your strategy. Once you know what you owe and to whom, you can start negotiating with debt companies on your balances,” advised Kates.
“A study from LendingTree found that 76% of consumers who called their card issuers to ask for a lower rate were successful in getting it reduced so it’s worth a try,” Andrea Woroch, a consumer and money-saving expert, says.
The average reduction was 6%, which could help you get back to where rates were in 2020.
If you don’t want to negotiate on your own, you can instead enlist the help of a debt relief company, but make sure to use a reputable service.
“There are some that make every effort to improve an individual’s financial situation and have some success. There are others who do not and are only interested in their own revenue stream. In either event, debt consolidation will have an immediate negative impact on the consumer’s credit score,” says Vogl.
Refinance or consolidate debt
You may also be able to save by using a lower-cost credit product to refinance or consolidate your debt, either with the help of a debt consolidation program or by using a loan.
“Collateralized loan options like using a home equity line of credit or mortgage refinance will have lower interest rates compared to personal loans for consolidating debt,” says Stephen Kates, CFP, principal financial analyst at Launch That.
But while using a home equity loan to consolidate debt can be a smart move, tapping into your home’s equity can also be risky.
“This comes with a huge caveat: The consumer must then use the proceeds to pay off the debt AND change their spending habits so they don’t end up in the same situation in a few years, only now with a higher or second mortgage,” warns Vogl.
If you don’t own a home or don’t want to tap into your equity, a personal loan is another viable option. The national average interest rate on a 24-month personal loan is 12.35%, much lower that the 21.47% average on credit cards.
“A personal loan, especially one with no origination fee, can be used to consolidate multiple debts at a lower fixed rate,” says Nickele.
Take advantage of balance transfer promos
You can also consider transferring a credit card balance to another card that comes with a promotional 0% APR introductory period.
“Some credit card companies may offer 0% interest cards for moving a debt balance but consumers should be wary of stretching their debt beyond the end of the 0% window,” says Kates.
Depending on the card and the offer, no-interest promotional periods can last almost two years, but if you still have a balance when yours ends, the normal APR will go into effect. In some cases, the higher APR is retroactive on any outstanding balance, which can be costly, so it’s important to read the fine print and plan accordingly.
The bottom line
While these strategies can help you get out of debt, it’s important to understand why you got into debt in the first place so you can ensure it doesn’t happen again.
“Many people get into debt due to unforeseen circumstances such as medical issues, periods of unemployment, divorce, or death of a household member. More, however, get into the situation simply by overspending and overestimating their future ability to pay the accumulated debts,” says Vogl.
Vogl says that when the latter is the case, the debt becomes a recurring problem every few years unless you change the underlying behavior.
CBS News
Boeing agrees to plea deal over 737 Max crashes
![](https://assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2024/07/08/a1ec31b0-8a5c-4a0f-a75a-9cb0a132146d/thumbnail/1200x630/503be48b7d046242b35de575d912d2dc/cbsn-fusion-boeing-agrees-to-guilty-plea-deal-for-737-max-charges-thumbnail.jpg?v=2287029998c5246c93d6dd038eb30603)
Watch CBS News
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.
CBS News
Best countertop ice makers to keep the party going all summer
![](https://assets1.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2023/07/06/d794c714-690c-430c-9918-338a3f31f201/thumbnail/1200x630/ff2f3101225918c45e20c793359a740a/ge-profile-opal-20-nugget-ice-maker-with-wifi-xl.jpg?v=2287029998c5246c93d6dd038eb30603)
Williams Sonoma
If you’re seeking restaurant-style nugget ice or just a way to make ice quickly for parties, a countertop ice maker may be right for you and your kitchen. They’re a great option if your refrigerator doesn’t have a built-in ice maker.
When shopping for a countertop ice maker, consider how much ice it can make per day, plus what types of ice it makes. When it comes to technology, some ice makers keep it simple, while others can be controlled through your smartphone. And consider how you would like to refill your ice maker. Some ice makers must be manually refilled while others come with an inlet hose.
Ahead we’ve rounded up the best countertop ice makers from GE, Frigidaire, Igloo and more brands. Say goodbye to smelly, freezer-burned ice from your ice cube tray with one of the appliances ahead. They make fresh ice much faster than your standard ice tray in the freezer.
Best ice makers of 2024
All of the options below have a 4.0 or higher review score.
Most popular ice maker: Silonn countertop ice maker
Amazon
This No. 1 bestseller on Amazon takes just six minutes to make nine bullet-shaped ice cubes and can make 26 pounds of fresh ice in just 24 hours. The Silonn countertop ice maker has more than 27,000 reviews and a 4.4-star rating.
This countertop ice maker is self-cleaning and comes with an ice scoop. It can make two sizes of bullet ice. Find the Silonn countertop ice maker in eight colors at varying prices.
This 4.4-star-rated ice maker is currently on sale at Amazon with an instant coupon.
Best splurge ice maker: GE Profile Opal 2.0 nugget ice maker with Wi-Fi
Williams Sonoma
There’s ice and then there’s nugget ice. Nugget ice is the soft, easy-to-crunch ice that’s used in some of your favorite fast food drinks. Because there’s trapped air, nugget ice lasts longer in drinks. Its softer texture, meanwhile, makes it ideal for use in summery blended drinks.
This splurge-worthy ice maker from GE is available in two colors, with the more budget-friendly option being stainless steel. You can request fresh ice from your smartphone, Alexa or Google Assistant and have it ready in 20 minutes. It makes up to 24 pounds of ice a day and comes with a scoop.
It’s rated 4.3 stars and currently on sale for $480 at Williams Somnoma.
Best budget ice maker: Countertop ice maker
Amazon
This bullet ice maker with a handle is your most affordable option and still makes up to 26 pounds of ice in 24 hours. It can make nine ice cubes in as little as six minutes. This budget-friendly ice maker has won the hearts of many reviewers, with a 4.5-star rating on Amazon.
We like that this model is self-cleaning. It comes with an ice scoop. Choose between five color options.
This 4.5-star-rated ice maker is currently on sale for $80 with an instant coupon.
Best value ice maker: Frigidaire ice maker
Amazon
This more affordable Frigidaire ice maker makes two sizes of ice. It can produce up to 26 pounds of ice per day, with the first batch ready in as little as six minutes.
“It’s cool because if you just need some ice for a small party, you can make enough within about 20 minutes,” an Amazon reviewer says. “[This machine is] also very beautiful.”
Find this ice maker in four colors. It comes with a scoop and is rated 4.5 stars.
Best ice maker for bullet ice: Kissair countertop ice maker
Walmart
This affordable ice maker with a handle makes up to 26 pounds of bullet-shaped ice. It can have nine bullet-shaped ice cubes ready in as little as six minutes.
This portable ice maker is self-cleaning and comes with an ice scoop. Its handle makes it easy to transport. It’s rated 4.5 stars, comes in five colors and is currently discounted $72 at Walmart.
Most stylish ice maker: Igloo automatic ice maker
Amazon
This Igloo ice maker comes in fun colors, as well as classic colors like white and stainless steel. It makes up to 26 pounds of ice in 24 hours or nine ice cubes in as little as seven minutes.
This ice maker produces two ice cube sizes and is equipped with a self-cleaning feature. It also includes a convenient ice scoop and has received a 4.1-star rating.
CBS News
“Forever” stamp prices are rising again. Here’s when and how much they will cost.
![](https://assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2024/07/08/4b6b36b3-b105-4c01-b0e3-f1719f2906ea/thumbnail/1200x630/7663ee6ee9a15c1a2695fc4bfc212eed/gettyimages-1481461542.jpg?v=2287029998c5246c93d6dd038eb30603)
Starting next week, the price of a “Forever” stamp will increase by a nickel to 73 cents, the second time the United States Postal Service has raised the cost of postage this year.
The price of a Forever stamp has steadily climbed since they cost 41 cents when the USPS introduced them in 2007, most recently in January when the agency raised the price from 66 cents to 68 cents.
Other postage rates are also set to jump. Mailing a postcard domestically will cost 56 cents, a 3-cent increase, while the price of mailing postcards and letters internationally are both rising by a dime to $1.65. Overall, postage costs are rising 7.8% increase, USPS said in a statement in April.
“These price adjustments are needed to achieve the financial stability sought by the organization’s Delivering for America 10-year plan,” the agency said at the time.
The new postage rates take effect on July 14.
By contrast, the price of renting a Post Office Box is not going up, and USPS will reduce the cost of postal insurance 10% when mailing an item, according to the agency.
Postage prices may be rising, but customers also have more Forever options to choose from. USPS in June began offering two new Forever stamps — one that depicts baseball legend Hank Aaron and another that pays homage to Canadian-American game show host Alex Trebek.
Aaron held professional baseball’s home-run record for three decades until it was broken in 2007, while Trebek hosted Jeopardy until he died of pancreatic cancer in November 2020.
The USPS this year has also launched Forever stamps honoring former First Lady Betty Ford, University of California Los Angeles men’s basketball coach John Wooden and some of the conductors of the Underground Railroad.
Still, the postage increases are hurting mail volume as well as the USPS’ bottom line, some critics says. The agency in November reported a $6.5 billion loss for fiscal 2023 and is projecting a $6.3 billion deficit in 2024, according to Keep US Posted, a nonprofit advocacy group.