Paying down your debt faster may help you get a head start on your goals, whether it’s applying for new credit, saving on the cost of borrowing, or just reducing your debt. Here are some strategies to think about when considering repayment plans that could help you pay your debt off faster.
Tips for paying off debt
Pay more than the minimum.
Pay off your debt and save on interest by paying more than the minimum every month. The key is to make extra payments consistently so you can pay off your loan more quickly. Some lenders allow you to make an extra payment each month specifying that each extra payment goes toward the principal. Before you begin, check the terms of your loan to determine whether additional fees or prepayment penalties may apply.
Pay more than once a month.
Pay your credit card bills more than the required once per month. This may make it easier to stay on track of how much you owe. Paying your credit card bill regularly may also lower your balance/utilization ratio. The credit utilization ratio is the percentage of your total available credit that is currently being used. The utilization ratio is one of the components used by credit reporting agencies to calculate your credit score.
Pay off your most expensive loan first.
Your most expensive loan is the loan with the highest interest rate. By paying it off first, you’re reducing the overall amount of interest you pay and decreasing your overall debt. Then, continue paying down debts with the next highest interest rates to save on your overall cost. This is sometimes referred to as the “avalanche method” of paying down debt.
Consider the snowball method of paying off debt.
This involves starting with your smallest balance first, paying that off and then rolling that same payment towards the next smallest balance as you work your way up to the largest balance. This method can help you build momentum as each balance is paid off. Understand the pros and cons of this debt pay down strategy by reviewing the Snowball versus Avalanche methods of paying down debt.
Keep track of bills and pay them in less time.
Stay on top of your debt by using bill reminders and Online Bill Pay. Simply schedule the amounts you want to pay and when you want to pay them. You can also set up payment reminders and receive eBills from payees offering electronic billing.
Wells Fargo Online — Bill Pay
Options for paying off debt
Shorten the length of your loan.
Refinancing your debt to a shorter term may help you pay it off faster and save on the total cost of borrowing.You may be able to qualify for a lower rate, or a shorter or longer loan term, depending on your situation. Remember, shortening the term of your loan could increase your monthly payments.
Consider Refinancing
Consolidate multiple debts.
Loan consolidation may help you repay debt faster by combining several high-interest rate loans or credit card balances into one new loan ideally with a lower interest rate.
- Consider debt consolidation
- Personal loan for debt consolidation
- Debt Consolidation Calculator
Credit score tip
Trying to eliminate all of your debt? Keeping credit accounts open, and paying the balances in full every month, may help you maintain or increase your credit score.
Next Step:
Understand the total cost of borrowing
When considering a new loan or restructuring your current debts, remember to consider your borrowing costs. Extending the term of your loan may lower your monthly payment, but you may pay more in interest over the life of the loan, increasing your total payments.
Learn more
Products to consider
- Personal Loan
- Mortgage Refinance
Before you apply, we encourage you to carefully consider whether consolidating your existing debt is the right choice for you. Consolidating multiple debts means you will have a single payment monthly, but it may not reduce or pay your debt off sooner. The payment reduction may come from a lower interest rate, a longer loan term, or a combination of both. By extending the loan term, you may pay more in interest over the life of the loan. By understanding how consolidating your debt benefits you, you will be in a better position to decide if it is the right option for you.
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FAQs
Our personal loans require no prepayment penalty. You are welcome to pay off the loan at any time or pay more than the amount due. Any payment made greater than the amount due will be applied first to any outstanding interest or fees and then to your principal balance.
How can I accelerate my debt payoff? ›
Pay off your debt and save on interest by paying more than the minimum every month. The key is to make extra payments consistently so you can pay off your loan more quickly. Some lenders allow you to make an extra payment each month specifying that each extra payment goes toward the principal.
How to pay off $8000 in credit card debt? ›
To pay off $8,000 in credit card debt within 36 months, you will need to pay $290 per month, assuming an APR of 18%. You would incur $2,431 in interest charges during that time, but you could avoid much of this extra cost and pay off your debt faster by using a 0% APR balance transfer credit card.
How to get out of $10,000 debt fast? ›
7 ways to pay off $10,000 in credit card debt
- Opt for debt relief. One powerful approach to managing and reducing your credit card debt is with the help of debt relief companies. ...
- Use the snowball or avalanche method. ...
- Find ways to increase your income. ...
- Cut unnecessary expenses. ...
- Seek credit counseling. ...
- Use financial windfalls.
"CFPB Orders Wells Fargo to Pay $3.7 Billion for Widespread Mismanagement of Auto Loans, Mortgages, and Deposit Accounts."
Do banks like it when you pay off loans early? ›
Some lenders may charge a prepayment penalty of up to 2% of the loan's outstanding balance if you decide to pay off your loan ahead of schedule. Additionally, paying off your loan early will strip you of some of the credit benefits that come with making on-time monthly payments.
How to pay off $30,000 in credit card debt? ›
5 Debt Payoff Strategies for $30,000 in Credit Card Debt
- Consolidate debt at a lower interest rate.
- Use a 0% APR balance transfer credit card.
- Consider a debt management program.
- Use a debt repayment strategy.
- How to pay off credit card debt fast.
- Tips for preventing future credit card debt.
- FAQ.
Tips for Getting Out of Debt When You're Living Paycheck to Paycheck
- Tip #1: Don't wait. ...
- Tip #2: Pay close attention to your budget. ...
- Tip #3: Increase your income. ...
- Tip #4: Start an emergency fund – even if it's just pennies. ...
- Tip #5: Be patient.
To pay off $4,000 in credit card debt within 36 months, you will need to pay $145 per month, assuming an APR of 18%. You would incur $1,215 in interest charges during that time, but you could avoid much of this extra cost and pay off your debt faster by using a 0% APR balance transfer credit card.
How to pay off $5000 quickly? ›
Debt avalanche: Make minimum payments on all but your credit card with the highest interest rate. Send all excess payments to that card account. Once you pay that account off, send all excess payments to your next highest rate. Repeat until all of your debts are paid off.
It will take 47 months to pay off $50,000 with payments of $1,500 per month, assuming the average credit card APR of around 18%. The time it takes to repay a balance depends on how often you make payments, how big your payments are and what the interest rate charged by the lender is.
How long does it take to pay off the $10000 debt by only making the minimum payment? ›
1% of the balance plus interest: It would take 29.5 years or 354 months to pay off $10,000 in credit card debt making only minimum payments. You would pay a total of $19,332.21 in interest over that period.
Who is eligible for the $10000 debt relief? ›
How do I know if I am eligible for debt relief? To be eligible, your annual income must have fallen below $125,000 (for individuals) or $250,000 (for married couples or heads of households). If you received a Pell Grant in college and meet the income threshold, you will be eligible for up to $20,000 in debt relief.
What is the credit card forgiveness program? ›
Credit card debt forgiveness is when some or all of a borrower's credit card debt is considered canceled and is no longer required to be paid. Credit card debt forgiveness is uncommon, but other solutions exist for managing debt. Debt relief and debt consolidation loans are other options to reduce your debts.
Does the government help with credit card debt? ›
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a government-sponsored program for credit card debt relief. In fact, if you receive a solicitation that touts a government program to get you out of debt, you may want to think twice about working with that company.
Is there a penalty for early payoff? ›
A prepayment penalty (also known as an early payoff fee) is an additional fee charged by some lenders if you pay off your loan early. All personal loans come with a specified loan term — a.k.a. the amount of time you have to completely repay the loan balance (plus interest) you borrowed.
Can I pay off my Wells Fargo auto loan early? ›
When you pay more than the total amount due, on or before the due date, the additional amount will pay down your principal balance and will be applied to your next payment due. You can pay your account up to 3 months in advance. Once the account is paid ahead 3 months, additional funds go toward principal only.
Does Wells Fargo have an early account closure fee? ›
There is no charge to close a Wells Fargo account. Again, be sure that your account is not overdrawn—zero or positive balance—and there are no pending deposits or outstanding legal claims or disputes. If you want to send money overseas, Wise can be a great option.
Do loans have early payoff penalty? ›
However, some lenders may charge a prepayment penalty fee for paying the loan off early. The prepayment penalty might be calculated as a percentage of your loan balance, or as an amount that reflects how much the lender would lose in interest if you repay the balance before the end of the loan term.
