Answer
Getting Out of Credit Card Debt
A worked sequence for clearing card balances: stop the growth, know the real numbers, pick an order, and consider whether cheaper credit is available.
Updated August 25, 2026 · 3 min read
What debt actually costs, and the orders of repayment that cost least.
Everything here is written for the United States. Terminology, protection limits and regulators differ between markets, so a guide from another country will not transfer cleanly.
A worked sequence for clearing card balances: stop the growth, know the real numbers, pick an order, and consider whether cheaper credit is available.
One method costs less. The other is easier to stick to. Here is how to work out which difference is bigger in your situation.
Calculators
Run the numbers on your own situation.
What order should I pay my debts off in?