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Credit card debt just hit a new high. Here’s how to tackle yours now.
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Credit card debt has been a growing issue nationwide over the last couple of years and it appears that the issue isn’t under control just yet. According to the latest household debt report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, credit card debt hit a staggering $1.17 trillion in the third quarter of this year, up from $1.14 trillion in Q2 2024. This sharp increase highlights the growing financial strain many Americans face as the lingering impacts of high inflation continue to reduce disposable incomes, leading more people to rely on credit to make ends meet.
This uptick in credit card debt comes at a time when the costs associated with carrying a balance on credit cards are also soaring. The average credit card interest rate is currently over 23%, a record high, which significantly compounds the amount cardholders owe — and for less-than-prime borrowers, the rates can be significantly higher. As the credit card interest accrues, balances can grow at an alarming pace, creating a cycle that’s difficult to break. For many households, this means paying down debt feels like an uphill battle.
The impact of rising credit card debt can be profound in terms of your financial health, so if you’re carrying a revolving credit card balance from one month to the next, it’s important to tackle it as soon as possible. Luckily, there are various strategies you can use to help you manage and reduce your credit card debt.
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How to tackle your growing credit card debt now
If you’re watching your credit card balance grow month after month, it may benefit you to consider using these strategies to tackle it:
Consider debt consolidation
Debt consolidation is an option for those with multiple high-interest credit card balances. This approach involves combining all your existing debts into a single, more manageable loan, ideally at a lower interest rate. By doing so, you replace multiple monthly payments with a single payment, simplifying your finances and potentially reducing your monthly costs.
That said, consolidating debt typically works best for those with a good or fair credit score, as lenders may require a decent credit history to qualify for lower rates. If you choose this strategy, it’s also essential to avoid taking on additional credit card debt after consolidating your balances.
Learn more about the debt relief strategies that could benefit you today.
Transfer your balance to a new card
A balance transfer card can also be an effective tool for paying down credit card debt, especially if you can secure one with a 0% introductory APR. Many balance transfer offers allow you to transfer high-interest balances to a new card with no interest for a period, usually between 12 and 21 months. This interest-free window can give you time to make significant progress on your debt.
Keep in mind, however, that balance transfer cards often come with a transfer fee — typically 3% to 5% of the transferred amount — which should be factored into your decision. This option is generally best suited for people with strong credit scores who can commit to a disciplined repayment plan, as the promotional period is temporary and interest rates will increase once it ends.
Settle your debt for less
For those with overwhelming credit card debt, debt forgiveness (also known as debt settlement) might offer a way to reduce the total amount owed. Debt forgiveness involves negotiating with creditors to reach an agreement on a lower payoff amount. While you can try to negotiate directly with your creditors, many people work with a debt relief company that will handle negotiations on their behalf.
Debt forgiveness can be beneficial for those who cannot realistically repay their full balances. However, it’s important to note that debt settlement may negatively impact your credit score and not all creditors will agree to settle for a lower amount than what you owe.
Utilize a debt management plan
Debt management plans are structured repayment plans offered by nonprofit credit counseling agencies. When you enroll in a debt management plan, the agency works with your creditors to roll your debts into a single monthly payment, often at a reduced interest rate. This option can simplify the repayment process and reduce the amount of interest you’ll owe over time, making it easier to pay off your debt within a set time frame.
It’s worth noting, though, that these programs usually take three to five years to complete, so they may not be the best option for someone looking for a quick fix. As a result, debt management plans are a good fit for those who need help budgeting and are committed to a long-term approach to debt repayment.
The bottom line
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your credit card debt, remember that you’re not alone — and there are effective strategies available to help you manage it. By exploring options like debt consolidation, balance transfers, debt settlement and creditor negotiations, you can create a plan tailored to your financial situation and work toward becoming debt-free. The sooner you take action, the better positioned you’ll be to overcome the challenges of high credit card debt and move toward a healthier financial future.
The Pentagon office investigating reports of unidentified anomalous phenomena, the government’s term for UFOs, received 21 reports last year that contain enough data for the intelligence community to continue actively investigating.
The majority of the reports the office received described orbs, lights, cylinders, but about 4% fell into the category of “other” and included unique descriptions like “green fireball,” “a jelly fish with [multicolored] flashing lights” or a “silver rocket approximately six feet long.”
“There are interesting cases that with my physics and engineering background and time in the [intelligence community], I do not understand, and I don’t know anybody else understands them,” Dr. Jon Kosloski, director, All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) told reporters during a briefing on the unclassified version of the annual report mandated by Congress.
Kosloski said the office has found “no evidence of extraterrestrial beings, activity, or technologies,” and he said none of the cases point to foreign adversaries or breakthrough technologies.
In total, the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office received 757 reports of UAP between May 1, 2023 and June 1, 2024. Of the 757 received, 485 occurred during that time period, while 272 occurred outside of the reporting period but were not included in previous reports.
The office resolved 49 of the cases by identifying the object as various types of balloons, birds or drones, and it expects to resolve 243 others by identifying them as one of those objects, as well.
Another 444 didn’t have enough data to keep investigating, so the office will go into the its active archive to see if other data can be found.
Twenty-one merit further analysis, and these cases Kosloski found interesting because they correspond with the typical shapes the office receives reports on, like orbs, triangles, and cylinders, and at least “one of those cases has been happening for an extended period of time.”
Kosloski acknowledged that even though investigators have not identified any of the cases as breakthrough technologies, the office can’t rule it out.
“We’re open to that as an explanation for it, but we’re just not attributing breakthrough technology as the explanation to it,” Kosloski said. “An open mind works both ways. So if we don’t understand what it is, we can’t say that it is or it is not breakthrough technology.”
The AARO expects to soon release the second volume of the U.S. Government Involvement with Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena detailing the government’s investigatory efforts from November 2023 to April 2024. The first volume released earlier this year looked at efforts from 1945 to 2023.
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Interest in gold investing has surged since the start of the year, fueled in large part by a sustained upward trend in gold prices. Over the last 11 months, the price of gold has climbed to new heights while consistently breaking previous price records and attracting even more investors to the precious metal. Given gold’s price trajectory, some analysts have even predicted that the price of gold would reach $3,000 per ounce before the end of 2024.
This month, however, has led to an unexpected twist for gold investors. In early November, the price of gold began to slide, dropping from a near-record high of $2,736.35 per ounce on November 1 to where it sits today at just $2,560.90 per ounce. This downturn has prompted many investors to wonder whether it’s time to reevaluate their precious metal investing strategies.
Price fluctuations are part of investing, however, especially when it comes to longer-term investments like gold. Still, understanding how to react during such declines can help investors make the most of a dip in gold’s value. And with the potential for gold’s value to fluctuate in the coming months, there are a few moves in particular that investors may want to make now that the price is dropping.
Learn how to add gold to your portfolio today.
3 smart gold moves to make while the price is dropping
Here are three smart moves to consider while gold prices are on the decline:
Dollar-cost average into physical gold
When gold prices retreat from their peaks, implementing a dollar-cost averaging strategy can be particularly effective. Dollar-cost averaging into physical gold is an investment strategy where you buy a fixed dollar amount of gold at regular intervals, regardless of the current market price. Instead of trying to time the market by waiting for prices to drop significantly, this allows you to accumulate gold gradually over time. By investing consistently, you automatically buy more gold when prices are low and less when prices are high, which helps to reduce the impact of short-term market fluctuations on your overall investment.
To start dollar-cost averaging into gold bars and coins (or other types of gold bullion), decide on an amount you can comfortably invest each month (or at another set interval). For example, if you decide to invest $200 in gold each month, you’ll buy $200 worth of gold every month, whether the price per ounce has increased or decreased. Over time, this approach averages out the cost per ounce of gold in your portfolio, potentially lowering the overall price you pay compared to lump-sum investing.
Find out more about the benefits of gold investing here.
Explore gold mining stocks at discounted valuations
Exploring gold mining stocks at discounted valuations can be a strategic way to gain exposure to the gold market without directly buying physical gold. When the price of gold drops, mining companies often see their stock prices decline as well, making these stocks potentially undervalued. So, investing in gold mining stocks now could allow you to benefit from the profitability of these companies when gold prices rebound, as their earnings and stock values generally increase with rising gold prices.
To get started, research well-established mining companies with strong track records and solid balance sheets. Focus on companies with efficient production methods, low debt levels and mines in politically stable regions. This can reduce some of the risks associated with mining, such as production disruptions and regulatory issues, which can impact profitability. During the process, you may also want to explore gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to diversify your exposure across several companies.
Rebalance your precious metals portfolio
Market corrections also provide an excellent opportunity to reassess and rebalance your precious metals holdings. So, it may be worthwhile to consider diversifying across different forms of gold investments, including physical bullion, mining stocks and gold ETFs. Each vehicle offers distinct advantages and risk profiles and maintaining a balanced approach can help optimize your portfolio’s performance across different market conditions.
This is also an ideal time to evaluate your overall precious metals allocation within your investment portfolio. While some investors maintain a standard 5% to 10% allocation to gold, your specific percentage should align with your risk tolerance and investment objectives. Use this period of lower prices to adjust your holdings accordingly, ensuring your gold position remains in the recommended proportion.
The bottom line
The key to successful gold investing lies not in reacting emotionally to short-term price swings but in maintaining a disciplined, long-term approach. Whether you’re a seasoned precious metals investor or just beginning to explore gold as an investment option, these market conditions may present valuable opportunities to enhance your portfolio’s position in this enduring store of value.
As you navigate the shifting gold market, though, just remember that gold’s recent price decline doesn’t necessarily signal a long-term trend reversal. Historical patterns suggest that corrections are normal and healthy within broader bull markets. By implementing these strategic moves during price dips, you may be able to strengthen your position and capitalize on future market movements.
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