The holidays are over, but if you’re like most Americans, your credit card statements are just getting started. Feeling like you went a bit overboard, or that you need to wipe out debt fast? You’re definitely not alone. Roughly 75% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, so those January bills can feel downright overwhelming.
I get it. Early in my career, I racked up over $100,000 in credit card debt. But I managed to pay it all off in three years, and I’m living proof that you can dig yourself out of the hole, no matter how deep it feels right now.
Here are four practical ways to tackle that post-holiday debt and improve your finances in 2026.
1. Don’t Suffer in Silence – Get Help
Here’s the thing nobody talks about: shame, guilt, and negative emotions are the biggest barriers to getting out of debt. You’re probably beating yourself up right now, thinking you should have known better or done better. But nix the self-criticism. That kind of thinking keeps you stuck.
Instead, reach out to trusted sources for help. Nonprofit organizations like Savvy Ladies offer completely free guidance via a helpline staffed by certified financial planners who can help you create a realistic game plan. And you don’t have to worry about cost; the Savvy Ladies helpline is a complimentary service. You don’t need to figure this out alone, and you definitely shouldn’t let embarrassment keep you from getting the support you need.
Think of it this way: if you broke your arm, you wouldn’t just sit at home hoping it would heal itself. You’d see a doctor. Your financial health deserves the same level of attention and professional care.
2. Face the Music – Get Organized
I know this step feels about as fun as stepping on the scale after the holidays, but it’s absolutely necessary. You can’t pay off debt you haven’t acknowledged. Take a comprehensive look at everything you owe across credit cards, loans, and especially those sneaky buy-now, pay-later plans that don’t always feel like “real” debt until they start hitting your bank account.
This is exactly what tools like Monarch Money were designed for. Monarch is an app that consolidates all your accounts—bank, credit cards, loans, investments—into one dashboard, making it easy to track spending and see exactly where you stand. A big factor in getting out of debt is having financial clarity; seeing the complete picture of where your money’s going and what you actually owe. It’s like turning on the lights in a messy room. Yeah, it might look worse than you thought at first, but at least now you know what you’re dealing with.
Getting organized with a tool like Monarch also helps you avoid missing due dates or getting slammed with late fees and extra interest charges. You can’t hit a target you can’t see.
3. Sell Stuff – Turn Your Old Jewelry Into Cash
Most Americans have accumulated way too much stuff; items hanging around in our attics, basements, garages and drawers. Instead of hoarding things you no longer want, need, or use, why not sell those items and use the money to pay down debt?
If you’re facing big credit card bills, here’s something you may not realize: you’re probably sitting on thousands of dollars’ worth of gold, silver, and other precious metals right now. That old jewelry drawer? Those pieces you inherited from relatives but never wear? The broken chains, single earrings, outdated styles gathering dust?
With gold prices at an all-time high, now is the perfect time to turn those forgotten treasures into serious cash. Platforms like Alloy Market make it incredibly easy to sell your unwanted jewelry and precious metals for top dollar – money that can go straight toward wiping out your debt.
Think about it: most of us have jewelry we haven’t touched in years. Maybe it’s a necklace from an ex, rings that don’t fit anymore, or pieces passed down from grandparents that just aren’t your style. Instead of letting that value sit in a drawer doing nothing, you could be turning it into $1,000, $2,000, or even more to knock out your credit card balances.
4. Make One Phone Call That Could Save You Thousands
Here’s another secret that most people don’t know: according to a survey from LendingTree, more than three in four consumers who simply ask their credit card company for a lower interest rate actually get it.
That’s right. A five-minute phone call could literally save you thousands of dollars.
Why do credit card companies say yes? Because they want to keep you as a customer rather than have you do a balance transfer to another issuer. They’d rather make less money from you than no money at all.
When you call, be polite but direct: “I’ve been a good customer for X years, and I’m looking at other cards with lower rates. Can you reduce my interest rate to help me pay this off faster?” That’s it. No elaborate explanation needed.
Even dropping your rate from 24% to 18% on a $5,000 balance could save you hundreds in interest charges and help you pay off that debt months faster.
The Bottom Line
Paying off debt is a lot like losing weight. You can’t just say you’re going to lose 10 pounds in the new year and magically make it happen. You need to step on the scale, face the number, and then take consistent action.
The same goes for debt. Know what you owe. Get help if you need it. Bring in extra money where you can. And make those credit card companies work for you instead of against you.
Remember, the debt problem in America has only gotten worse, and even though you might have had the best intentions, life gets in the way. That’s normal. What matters now is what you do next.
You’ve got this. Start with just one of these four steps today. Bookmark this article and return to do another step at another time. You’ll be amazed at how much momentum you can build when you stop letting shame run the show and start taking action instead.
Lynnette Khalfani-Cox is the Founder of the Financial Influencer Network and the author of the New York Times bestseller, Zero Debt: The Ultimate Guide to Financial Freedom.
By Lynnette Khalfani-Cox
FAQs
How long does it take to pay off post-holiday debt?
The timeline depends on your balances, interest rates, and repayment strategy. With focused effort, many people see significant progress within six to twelve months.
Is it better to pay off post-holiday debt or save money first?
It’s usually best to prioritize high-interest debt while maintaining a small emergency fund to avoid relying on credit again.
Can negotiating interest rates really help with debt payoff?
Yes. Even a small reduction in interest rates can save hundreds or thousands of dollars over time and accelerate debt repayment.
What types of jewelry are best to sell for debt relief?
Gold, silver, platinum, broken jewelry, mismatched pieces, and inherited items often retain strong resale value, especially when metal prices are high.
