3 Ways to Pay Off Holiday Credit Card Debt Fast
- Sell unused items online to raise cash fast for debt.
- Apply bonuses or refunds to wipe out debt quickly.
- Pause subscriptions for a month to save for payments.
Table of Contents
We’re always looking for fresh ways to pay off holiday credit card debt fast. From selling gifts and possessions to pressing pause on subscriptions, here are three of our favorite ways to slash your holiday credit card debt before you can say, “Happy Valentine’s Day!”
1. Sell Items to Pay off Holiday Credit Card Debt Fast
Raise cash in a matter of days by selling your unused or unwanted items, garage-sale style. Holiday gifts are prime candidates for resale. Yet another Stanley thermos? Sell it online.
You can sell from anywhere. The modern garage sale takes place on online marketplaces like eBay, Poshmark, and Facebook Marketplace. You can sell online fast to a potentially huge market. Clothes, collectibles, unwanted gift cards, or appliances—almost everything sells.
Get familiar with the platform’s fees before you sell. By the time you pay the fees and ship the item, you’ll end up with less than the full purchase price that your customer paid.
Tip: Order free shipping supplies from USPS.
You don’t have to worry about shipping if you set up shop on Facebook Marketplace and have buyers come to you. Buyers will bring cash (and trucks) to haul heavy furniture you’re ready to say goodbye to.
2. Use Any Windfalls to Pay off Credit Card Debt Fast
If you were lucky enough to snag an end-of-year bonus, funnel at least some of it directly toward your holiday debt. Maybe you’re expecting a tax refund or have a loving aunt who likes to give cash. If you find yourself with extra funds, put some toward your holiday credit card debt.
If the idea of spending it all on debt is too painful, use a portion for debt and treat yourself with the rest. You get the best of both worlds—post-holiday splurging and less debt.
Whenever unexpected cash comes your way, make it a habit to keep a slice of that cash pie for yourself. Stick a percentage in a savings account for covering holiday expenses next year.
3. Save on Subscriptions to Pay off Holiday Credit Card Debt Fast
You can quickly save a bit of cash by turning off auto renewals. Try a month or two. Could you survive unsubscribing from your entertainment apps for a month? How about just one or two? It’s one of the fastest ways to save money in 30 days.
One hidden bonus of ditching streaming services or apps is realizing how easily you can live without them. Another bonus is discovering subscriptions you didn’t know you were paying for. Getting rid of those is extremely satisfying.
The best part of subscription cleansing is that you can always renew, any time. Don’t be afraid to hit that cancel button. Your service might even offer you discounts before you go, begging you to stick around.
Holiday Credit Card Debt: New Solutions for an Old Problem
Paying for the holidays using credit cards isn’t new. But the internet makes it possible to pay off that holiday credit card debt using innovative methods.
If you don’t want to sell things or give up subscriptions, consider a classic debt pay-off strategy like the snowball or avalanche method. Debt consolidation could streamline your payments.
You’ve got options when it comes to credit card debt relief. Working with a professional company gives you the advantage of professional debt experts who have helped thousands of others in your situation.
Read more: Now’s the Time to Deal with Holiday Debt—Here’s How
A look into the world of debt relief seekers
We looked at a sample of data from Freedom Debt Relief of people seeking the best debt relief company for them during April 2025. This data highlights the wide range of individuals turning to debt relief.
Credit card tradelines and debt relief
Ever wondered how many credit card accounts people have before seeking debt relief?
In April 2025, people seeking debt relief had some interesting trends in their credit card tradelines:
The average number of open tradelines was 14.
The average number of total tradelines was 24.
The average number of credit card tradelines was 7.
The average balance of credit card tradelines was $15,142.
Having many credit card accounts can complicate financial management. Especially when balances are high. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the number of credit cards and the debt on them, know that you’re not alone. Seeking help can simplify your finances and put you on the path to recovery.
Credit card debt - average debt by selected states.
According to the 2023 Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) the average credit card debt for those with a balance was $6,021. The percentage of families with credit card debt was 45%. (Note: It used 2022 data).
Unsurprisingly, the level of credit card debt among those seeking debt relief was much higher. According to April 2025 data, 88% of the debt relief seekers had a credit card balance. The average credit card balance was $16,635.
Here's a quick look at the top five states based on average credit card balance.
| State | Average credit card balance | Average # of open credit card tradelines | Average credit limit | Average Credit Utilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $17,984 | 7 | $24,102 | 81% |
| Alaska | $19,343 | 9 | $28,791 | 79% |
| Arkansas | $14,227 | 9 | $27,261 | 78% |
| Kentucky | $12,929 | 8 | $25,731 | 78% |
| Alabama | $14,363 | 8 | $26,156 | 77% |
The statistics are based on all debt relief seekers with a credit card balance over $0.
Are you starting to navigate your finances? Or planning for your retirement? These insights can help you make informed choices. They can help you work toward financial stability and security.
Regain Financial Freedom
Seeking debt relief can be the first step toward financial freedom. Are you struggling with debt? Explore options for debt relief to regain control of your finances. It doesn't matter how old you are or what your FICO score or credit utilization is. Take the first step towards a brighter financial future today.
Show source
Author Information
Written by
Cole Tretheway
Cole is a freelance writer. He’s written hundreds of useful articles on money for personal finance publications like The Motley Fool Money. He breaks down complicated topics, like how credit cards work and which brokerage apps are the best, so that they’re easy to understand.
Reviewed by
Kimberly Rotter
Kimberly Rotter is a financial counselor and consumer credit expert who helps people with average or low incomes discover how to create wealth and opportunities. She’s a veteran writer and editor who has spent more than 30 years creating thousands of hours of educational content in every possible format.
Is there a credit card debt forgiveness program?
Only Chapter 7 bankruptcy can erase a credit card debt. A debt resolution program won’t entirely forgive a debt, but it’s a way to negotiate with creditors so that they agree to accept less than the full amount you owe.
How much credit card debt is normal?
What’s normal for one person might be troubling for another. The best amount of credit card debt is the amount that you can afford to pay off when you get the bill.
How long does it take to pay off credit card debt?
It depends on how much credit card debt you have and how much you can afford to pay each month. Most payoff strategies, including bankruptcy, debt management plans, and debt resolution, can take 3–5 years to complete.
No matter what, the more you pay each month, the faster you’ll be out of credit card debt.
Debt Relief
