Can't Make Credit Card Payments? What To Do

Can't make your monthly credit card payments. It is important to understand what you can do in order to avoid late charges, increased interest rates and avoid having your credit score lowered. Taking the appropriate action can increase your ability to make future payments.

Not being able to make your monthly credit card payments is a common occurrence and there are solutions out there than can help. Many circumstances can arise that can cause an unexpected large expense or temporarily loss an income source that will drain funds and limit ones ability to pay bills on time. If this does happen to you, the worst thing you can do is to ignore the issue when it arises. As soon as you know that payments won't be able to be made is the best time to start addressing the issue. Failing to address the issue right away can cause the following problems:

1. Increased future credit card interest rates
   
2. Late Fees
   
3. Get your credit score lowered by getting a late payment reported to the credit bureau
   
4. Decrease your future ability to make on time payments
   

A short list of steps that you can take in order to avoid these problems:

1. Call the customer service number for your credit card. Briefly explain your current situation and make them aware that it is not likely to happen again and tell them when you expect to be able to pay. If you have not done this in the past, it is very likely that they will give you an extension.
   
2. If you feel comfortable enough, you can always ask friends or family for the money. Like with the credit card company, explain to them your situation and that you don't expect this to happen again and give them a date when you expect to have the money to pay them back
   
3. Try to get a cash advance on your paycheck from your current employer. A lot of times employers will work with their employees to help them out.
   
4. If you have many bills that you cannot pay, see if there is one that can wait. Missing credit card payments most of the time have the worst penalties and can create the most problems in the future.
   
5. Obtain a Payday loan. This option can only be good if cannot get an extension on your credit card payment. This will normally cost you about $75, however it can benefit you because you won't be paying the late fee on the credit amount and you will be able to maintain a good standing on your credit keeping your future interest payments down.
   

It is important to maintain a good standing with your creditors because this will save you thousands in the long run by maintaining a better credit score, keeping your interest rate down, and eliminating late fees. Don't delay on taking action, address the issues as soon as they arise.

If this seems to be a constant problem, credit management/counseling could be a good option for you. With credit management you can get help planning a budget or help negotiate with current creditors about lowering rates or waiving late fees. It is important to take the necessary steps as soon as you realize there is a problem because this will save you thousands in the long run.