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What are the 3 biggest strategies for paying down debt?

Last updated 13 November 2026 · General information, not legal or financial advice

Paying off your debts faster can help you work toward other goals, such as getting ready to buy your first home, taking a vacation, or starting a business. Pay more than once a month. Sean Pyles is a debt writer at NerdWallet, whose work has appeared in the New York Times, USA Today, and elsewhere. If you suffer from high-interest credit card debt, you should find an introductory interest rate of 0% for a balance transfer to a new credit card.

How can I get out of debt quickly?

While debt settlement can help reduce total debt owed, avoid insolvencies, and pay off debts earlier, it can significantly impact your credit rating, make it difficult to obtain future loans, and cost thousands of dollars. If you feel like you’re drowning in debt and don’t have any beneficiaries who need to benefit from your life insurance, such as a spouse or children, it may make sense to use these funds to pay off debts. By “increasing payments for your smallest debts, you get rid of them quickly and move on to the next smallest debt while paying minimum payments for the rest.

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