What's one piece of advice you would give to someone struggling to make the minimum payment on their credit card debt? What helped you overcome this challenge?

Question

Credit card debt can be overwhelming, but there are effective strategies to manage it. This article presents expert-backed tips for tackling minimum payments and reducing overall debt. From prioritizing high-interest balances to negotiating with creditors, these practical approaches can help readers regain control of their finances.

Daniel Lopez · Answer

As someone who works with investors facing financial stress daily, I've seen how credit card debt compounds quickly. The most effective strategy I've found is prioritizing debt based on interest rates while maintaining minimum payments on everything else – what's called debt avalanching.
One client came to me with $22,000 spread across four cards while trying to qualify for an investment property. We created a 90-day plan focusing entirely on the card with a 24.99% APR first, which freed up $180 monthly once eliminated. This amount could then be redirected to the card with the next highest rate.
Consider calling your credit card companies directly to negotiate rates. Most people don't realize that issuers will often reduce rates by 5-7 percentage points for customers with a decent payment history who simply ask. I've helped clients save thousands this way with just a 15-minute phone call.
For immediate relief, balance transfer offers can provide breathing room if used strategically. The key is treating the 0% interest period as a deadline, not a vacation from payments. Calculate exactly what monthly payment eliminates the debt before the promotional period ends, then automate that payment.

Dan Ramsley · Answer

If someone struggles to cover even the minimum payment on their credit card, I advise them to stop waiting for financial breathing room and create it themselves. Start by cutting your budget down to absolute essentials (housing, food, utilities) and temporarily stop everything else. Simply pausing those streaming subscriptions or selling unused items can free up enough cash to shift from barely surviving to actually making progress. This approach builds momentum through small victories rather than massive sacrifices.
When I help clients in this situation, I encourage them to target one card at a time, usually either the smallest balance or the highest interest rate, whichever one mentally burdens them most. This focused strategy creates visible progress. Trying to pay down all cards equally keeps most people stuck in the same cycle.
Most people overcome debt challenges through urgency, not complex math. Once they stop treating debt as background noise and confront it directly, they make surprisingly rapid progress. Each payment that reduces principal instead of merely delaying interest builds genuine confidence.

Bert Hofhuis · Answer

If you're struggling to make even the minimum payment on your credit card, the first thing I'd say is to stop using the card altogether, and don't let pride keep you from getting help. A while back, I couldn't make the minimum payment on a credit card after investing £15,000 into a buy-to-let project in Kent that stalled. I cancelled every unused subscription and freed up £180 monthly. The lender refused a zero-interest plan, so I kept calling, logged everything, and on the third attempt, they agreed. I sold two Leica lenses for just over £1,000, eliminating nearly 40 percent of the balance. I stopped thinking in monthly terms and tackled debt in chunks. If you're stuck, act fast, be persistent, and generate cash from anything idle. Don't wait around hoping it sorts itself out.

Ben Bouman · Answer

I called my credit card company and asked for a lower APR—just straight-up asked. When they said no, I wasn't surprised, but I was frustrated. So I pulled out my phone, hit record, and talked through how it felt. That voice note ended up being a turning point. Hearing the emotion in my own voice—the stress, the tiredness, the urgency—made it impossible to keep pretending I was okay with the debt.
Oddly enough, it wasn't the rate change that helped me most—it was capturing that raw moment. It became fuel. Every time I felt tempted to overspend or skip a payment, I'd listen to that note. It reminded me why I needed change, and it kept me focused in a very human, personal way. I'd tell anyone dealing with credit card stress: ask for that lower APR, but don't stop there—use the moment to light a fire.

Katherine Read · Answer

As someone who has helped many people navigate financial challenges, my advice to anyone struggling to make the minimum payment on their credit card debt would be to transfer balances to a 0% APR card. This move provides immediate relief by eliminating interest charges for a set period, typically between 12 and 18 months. Without the burden of accruing interest, the payments you make go directly toward reducing the principal balance rather than being eaten up by high-interest fees.
This strategy works well when you have multiple cards or large balances, as it consolidates the debt into a single payment. It makes it easier to stay on top of your payments and speeds up the process of paying down the debt. However, you should keep in mind that many 0% APR cards charge balance transfer fees, so be sure to factor this in when calculating the potential savings.

Joe Gibson · Answer

When I founded CredibilityBoost, many of my early clients were drowning in minimum payments. My top advice is to call your credit card company directly and request a hardship program. Most major issuers have unpublicized options that can temporarily reduce interest rates or even suspend them completely.
I worked with a client last year who was paying 24.99% interest on a $12,000 balance. After coaching them through a hardship call, the issuer reduced their rate to 7.99% for 12 months, freeing up over $170 monthly they could redirect to principal.
Consider the debt snowball method for psychological wins. I personally struggled with five maxed-out cards in 2019, and tackling my smallest balance first created momentum that kept me motivated through the entire payoff journey.
Always prioritize keeping accounts current over spreading payments too thin. One 30-day late payment can drop your score by 40-50 points, making future financial recovery significantly harder - something I've seen damage clients' borrowing power for years afterward.

Holly Finnefrock · Answer

I began treating the minimum payment as if it were a deception—because, in a way, it is. My minimum payment was $72, so I convinced myself it was actually $144. That became my new baseline. I set reminders, updated my budget, and adjusted my spending habits with that higher number in mind.
The strategy wasn't just about paying more—it was about changing how I thought about debt. Doubling the minimum payment reframed what "progress" looked like. Suddenly, I wasn't just treading water. I saw the balance moving in the right direction, even when money was tight. That mental reset helped me build momentum, and I'd recommend it to anyone feeling stuck. Small mindset shifts can lead to real financial relief.

Kathryn MacDonell · Answer

I used a Burn Chart—yes, like in project management—to track my credit card debt, and it changed everything. Before that, making the minimum payment felt like pouring water into a sinking ship. I couldn't tell if I was making a difference, and that uncertainty wore me down. 
So I grabbed a notebook, drew a simple graph with my starting balance at the top, and set a goal for when I wanted to be debt-free. Every time I made a payment—even the smallest one—I marked it on the chart.
Watching that line move downward gave me something numbers on a screen never could: momentum I could see. It felt like crossing finish lines every week. The visual progress made me more intentional with spending, too—I'd ask myself, "Will this delay my next mark on the chart?"
I recommend this method to anyone who feels overwhelmed by their balance. You don't need fancy apps or spreadsheets—just a pen, paper, and the habit of checking in with your progress. It shifts your mindset from surviving to solving.

Peter Čuček · Answer

When I was trying to stay afloat while juggling credit card payments, the pressure felt nonstop. Every statement reminded me how fast interest adds up. What surprised me, though, was how my mindset around rewards was making it worse. I used to see points as a license to treat myself—flights, gadgets, dinners. It felt like a "perk," but it was just feeding the cycle.
So I flipped the script.
Instead of using points to buy more things, I started using them to erase past purchases—concert tickets, delivery splurges, even random online buys from weeks before. It didn't make the debt vanish overnight, but it gave me a sense of progress. It reframed rewards as a way to reduce what I already owed. And that felt like a win I could build on.
If you're stuck making minimum payments, every little shift helps. Don't let rewards drag you deeper. Use them to buy breathing room. It's a quiet but powerful mindset shift that puts your financial future back in your hands.

Seann Malloy · Answer

As a lawyer, I often counsel clients on financial stress, and one piece of advice I give to those struggling with credit card minimum payments is to make small, frequent micro-payments—say, $10 or $15 whenever possible, even weekly. Through this method, the principal can be repaid more quickly, resulting in a reduction in interest charges in the long term. For instance, on a $5,000 balance with a 20% APR, paying $40 more than the monthly minimum could save you hundreds of dollars on interest each year and can help you pay off the card sooner. It also keeps the momentum going and prevents the debt from becoming overwhelming.
When I faced this challenge at a young age, micro-payments were my lifeline. After every paycheck, no matter how small, I would transfer a minimal amount from my checking account, even if it was as little as $12 after buying groceries. This routine helped me break out of a downward spiral, and seeing the progress motivated me to stick with it. Pair this with a budget that focuses on just the essentials, while cutting nonessential costs — such as skipping takeout coffee — and you will have a more manageable debt load. Consistency and small victories are the path to overcoming financial chaos in a year like this.

Michelle Robbins · Answer

Don't delay advocating for yourself financially! Take the time to get a handle on all of your expenses, then decide what you can eliminate and what you can try to reduce. I can personally attest that it is easier than you might assume.
When my pay was temporarily reduced during the COVID-19 lockdown, I took a peer's advice and compared auto and home insurance rates. By breaking my "cozy rut" of sticking with the same company for over a decade, I saved more than $700 a year by switching to a new insurer.
Inspired, I then contacted SiriusXM, explained my situation, and asked for a reduction. They reduced my annual fee by 66%. I also stopped paying for two streaming services that I realized I wasn't even watching anymore.
Being proactive can provide you with extra money to better meet your credit card debt obligations. You can also be proactive by contacting the credit card company, explaining your situation, and requesting a lower minimum payment or even a reduction in your interest rate.

Joe Caputo · Answer

As a personal injury attorney who has seen countless clients struggling with debt after accidents, I've found that negotiating directly with creditors is often overlooked. In my practice, I've helped clients create temporary payment plans while their cases were pending - something many don't realize is possible.
The strategy that worked best for me personally was focusing on income growth rather than just expense cutting. When I was building my law practice, I took on additional cases and consulting work specifically to tackle debt faster, which proved more effective than trying to trim an already tight budget.
Many people don't realize that sometimes a legitimate hardship (job loss, medical issue) can be documented to creditors through a well-crafted hardship letter. I've seen creditors freeze interest and even reduce principal in these situations when properly presented with documentation.
If you're truly underwater, consider seeking legal advice about your options. Many states have specific protections against certain collection practices, and knowing your rights can prevent predatory actions from making your situation worse. This knowledge is powerful when negotiating with creditors.

12 Tips for Making Minimum Payments on Credit Card Debt

Table of Contents

12 Tips for Making Minimum Payments on Credit Card Debt

Prioritize High-Interest Debt with Avalanche Method

Create Financial Breathing Room Through Budgeting

Act Fast and Persistently to Tackle Debt

Use Emotional Motivation to Fuel Debt Repayment

Consider Balance Transfers to 0% APR Cards

Request Hardship Programs from Credit Card Companies

Double Your Minimum Payment as New Baseline

Visualize Progress with a Debt Burn Chart

Leverage Rewards Points to Reduce Past Purchases

Make Frequent Micro-Payments to Reduce Principal

Advocate for Yourself by Reducing Expenses

Negotiate with Creditors and Focus on Income

Up Next