9 Clever Ways To Pay Off Your Credit Card Debt

Paying off credit card debt is easier than you think if you have the right plan.

Last updated Oct. 18, 2026 | By FinanceBuzz Editors

A recent study shows that over 80% of Americans are in debt. High interest credit cards, hospital bills, or student loans, car payments — everyone knows the challenge.

Below, you'll find clever ways to help you crush your credit card debt.

Ask this company to help resolve your credit card debt

If you’re making minimum payments but feel like your debt isn’t going anywhere, you’re not alone. Between credit cards, medical bills, collections, and personal loans, it can be difficult to know where to start — or how long it could take to finally get ahead.

Freedom Debt Relief could help. If you have +$20,000 in credit card debt, their certified debt specialists may be able to negotiate with your creditors to settle your debts for less than you owe.

Based on a plan that fits your budget, you could have one affordable monthly deposit, that could be lower than your current minimum payments.

Best of all? There are no upfront settlement fees (they only get paid once they deliver results) and they may be able to help you resolve your debt in as little as 24-48 months. Plus, they even offer a program guarantee.1

To get started, just answer a few simple questions – it only takes a few minutes to see if you qualify!

Try Freedom Debt Relief

Pay no interest on balance transfers until 2028

Imagine getting 18 months with 0% intro APR on a balance transfer (APR then 18.49% - 28.74% (Variable)). Sounds great — right? You could dramatically change your financial picture with this industry-leading card - the Citi Double Cash® Card.

If you want to kick high-interest credit card debt to the curb, this is one of the leading get-out-of-debt cards available. Transfer your high interest debt to this card with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After the intro period for balance transfers, the APR is 18.49% - 28.74% (Variable). Your payments can go directly to paying down your balance without incurring a pile of additional charges. That could save you hundreds of dollars in interest!

It doesn't stop with balance transfers though. Cardholders can also earn double cash back — 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel. Even better, you can redeem your cash back as direct deposit, a statement credit, or even a mailed check! You can turn your everyday purchases into cash back and make a dent in your debt, regular bills, or save for the future.

The best part? There's no annual fee with the Citi Double Cash® Card (Rates and fees).

Click here to apply now for the Citi Double Cash® Card

Pay no interest into 2028 with this no annual fee card

If you're struggling to pay down high interest debt (or you're planning a major purchase this year), this might be the exact thing you need. There's a card that allows you to pause credit card interest into 2028 ... and the best part is that it could be easier than you think.  

Discover it® Cash Back (Rates and fees) is an extremely powerful card that gives you 0% intro APR for an astounding 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. (Then APR is 17.74% - 26.74% (Variable); Balance transfer fee applies.) That's right — you can now finance large purchases you've been sitting on without paying massive interest. Or, transfer crippling high interest debt to this card and let your payments go directly to paying down your balance, without piling on additional interest charges — all with no annual fee.

But it doesn't end there. The Discover it® Cash Back card also lets you earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. 

Apply now for the Discover it® Cash Back card

Tap the equity in your home without adding another monthly payment (home must be worth at least $200,000)

If you own the home you live in but don't want to touch your mortgage rate or go for a traditional HELOC, a Home Equity Investment Product, or HEI, could be perfect.

How it works: A HEI bets that your home's value will go up. They give you cash now, and when you sell, refinance, or pay back in cash, you give them a small portion based on how much your home is worth then.

(By the way, if your home value decreases, the value of the percentage home equity investor is entitled to also decreases. That could be a lot safer for you.)

They work with single family homes, condos, townhomes, and 2- to 4-unit properties. No mobile or manufactured homes. Use the money however you like. Pay off debt, renovate, invest … all without worrying about additional monthly payments OR touching your current mortgage.

Why choose a HEI?

  • Cash Payment Now: You can qualify to get between $15,000 to $500,000 in one lump-sum cash payment.
  • Have a home worth at least $200,000.
  • No income requirements.
  • Don’t want to affect your current mortgage.
  • Don’t want monthly payments.

Answer a few questions here to see if you pre-qualify in less than 2 minutes (see how much you can get)

Turn your home’s value into extra cash

If you want to pay a large expense now, like a home improvement project or credit card debt, you may have considered using your home equity as leverage to borrow a large sum of money.

But with interest rates rising in recent years, a cash-out refinance or home equity loan may not make financial sense.

Here’s a potential solution: Get a home equity line of credit (HELOC) instead.

Using LendingTree’s simple HELOC matching tool2 (yes, the company from the commercials), you can compare rates and see what works for you.

How a home equity line of credit is different: Your line of credit acts similar to a credit card, where you can withdraw funds when you need them, and you’re only responsible for minimum monthly payments for what’s called the “draw period,” which is usually 10 years. After this borrowing period ends, you pay off the rest of your balance during an extended repayment period, which is usually 20 years.

Plus, as a revolving line of credit, rates are usually variable, so you won’t be locked into a fixed rate if they ever go lower.

If you have a 700+ credit score and/or you are looking to borrow a loan of 80K+:

  1. Check out LendingTree’s HELOC matching tool.
  2. Answer a few questions.
  3. Be matched with personalized offers for you.

Visit LendingTree

Ask this company to help you pay off your late tax debt

Past-due tax debt is overwhelming.

It weighs on your mind and causes massive anxiety. You end up emotionally and physically drained. Even worse when the IRS starts sending letters threatening wage garnishment and huge fines.

Alleviate Tax is designed specifically to help you get out of tax debt faster and could reduce some of the debt you owe.

While most tax companies just put you on a payment plan and file your taxes for you, Alleviate Tax talks to the IRS directly. They can help you pay off your tax debt faster while potentially reducing what you owe.

Important: Not everyone will qualify. To take advantage of this special program you must owe more than $10,000 in past-due taxes.

Answer a few questions to get started

National Debt Relief
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National Debt Relief Benefits
  • No upfront fees3
  • One-on-one evaluation with a Certified Debt Specialist
  • For people with $30,000 in unsecured debts and up
Visit National Debt Relief