Do it Yourself

UpdatedJan 29, 2025
- If you can afford to pay your credit cards down faster, you may be able to solve your debt problems yourself.
- You'll pay the entire balance owed with no concessions from creditors.
- Your credit rating should improve as you lower your balances.
It’s true: making your minimum payments keeps you looking decent on paper. You avoid late fees, aren’t reported to the credit bureaus as delinquent, and therefore don’t have to worry about hurting your credit score. So what’s the catch? Interest. You pay a very, very heavy price for making only your minimum payments.
Minimum payments are how credit card companies make money from you. When you make only the minimum payment, a significant portion of your payment goes towards your interest or finance charges.
If you are struggling to make ends meet and only paying the minimum on your accounts, it may feel like your balances never come down. Fees and interest accumulate quickly and you may even end up paying way more than you originally owed. Not to mention, it could literally take you decades to pay off. If you’re struggling with debt, it may be time to seek help.
There are online tools and resources that can help you calculate how much you’d need to pay each month to save on interest and pay off the debt by a certain date. You can find out different strategies for how to get out of debt by yourself. But if you are already struggling to pay the minimum on your accounts, these strategies may not be successful for you.
Instead, debt resolution may be a better option. The way the Freedom Debt Relief program is structured, your monthly program deposits could be lower than your current minimum payments. That means you could be working to resolve your debt while actually saving money each month.
To see if you qualify, call a Certified Debt Consultant at Freedom Debt Relief now at 800-910-0065.
Debt relief stats and trends
We looked at a sample of data from Freedom Debt Relief of people seeking debt relief during November 2024. The data uncovers various trends and statistics about people seeking debt help.
FICO scores and enrolled debt
Curious about the credit scores of those in debt relief? In November 2024, the average FICO score for people enrolling in a debt settlement program was 586, with an average enrolled debt of $25,411. For different age groups, the FICO scores varied. For instance, those aged 51-65 had an average FICO score of 587 and an enrolled debt of $26,912. The 18-25 age group had an average FICO score of 550 and an enrolled debt of $14,146. No matter your age or debt level, it's reassuring to know you're not alone. Taking the step to seek help can lead you towards a brighter financial future.
Collection accounts balances – average debt by selected states.
Collection debt is one example of consumers struggling to pay their bills. According to 2023, data from the Urban Institute, 26% of people had a debt in collection.
In November 2024, 30% of debt relief seekers had a collection balance. The average amount of open collection account debt was $3,203.
Here is a quick look at the top five states by average collection debt balance.
State | % with collection balance | Avg. collection balance |
---|---|---|
District of Columbia | 23 | $4,899 |
Montana | 24 | $4,481 |
Kansas | 32 | $4,468 |
Nevada | 32 | $4,328 |
Idaho | 27 | $4,305 |
The statistics are based on all debt relief seekers with a collection account balance over $0.
If you’re facing similar challenges, remember you’re not alone. Seeking help is a good first step to managing your debt.
Support for a Brighter Future
No matter your age, FICO score, or debt level, seeking debt relief can provide the support you need. Take control of your financial future by taking the first step today.
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