I started watching a young YouTuber who films personal vlog-style videos about her life. She hurts my brain, but I can’t help watching. She is living with her husband and two sons in her mother-in-law’s home, where she has resided for the past 10 years. She works part-time and is going to school for cosmetology. Her husband seems to get a job and then finds a reason to quit. They both have credit card debt. Now, for some reason, I feel she is playing all her followers. I lived with my in-laws and was able to save a significant amount of money. I’ve done a video about this on my YouTube channel, Anne’s House of Six. So, how does this young woman not save any money but continues to spend on her credit cards (yes, she has more than one)? First of all, both she and her husband need full-time employment. Secondly, she needs to stop spending and pay off her credit cards. She continues to say she wants to have savings “just in case” for emergencies, so she puts the money she makes from YouTube into her savings but does not use this money to pay down her debt. In my opinion, her emergency is her debt!

Now, this young woman is not really the norm. Most people start with a few charges they meant to pay off at the end of the month, but life happens—an unexpected car repair, back-to-school shopping, or just making ends meet. Before you know it, you’re carrying a balance month after month, and that number just keeps climbing.

Some people get stuck in a cycle of only paying the minimum on their cards. However, I encourage you to start viewing your credit card debt as something you can tackle—because the freedom that comes from paying it off is worth every bit of effort.

1. The Interest is Astronomical

Credit cards often come with sky-high interest rates—some as high as 25% or more. My credit card has an interest rate of 20.75%. That means if you're only making minimum payments, you’re mostly just paying interest, not actually chipping away at what you owe. You could end up paying double (or more!) for that sweater or grocery bill.

2. Minimum Payments Keep You Stuck

Paying just the minimum each month might keep the creditors quiet, but it keeps you stuck. It’s like treading water—you’re not drowning, but you’re not getting anywhere either. If you want to break free, you have to pay more than the minimum, even if it means cutting corners everywhere. And if you can pay it off altogether, even better.

3. It Hurts Your Credit (Even If You’re Never Late)

A big part of your credit score is based on something called “credit utilization”—how much of your available credit you're using. The higher your balances, the more your score can dip. I had never heard of this exact term before and didn’t know how my credit score was calculated until I started researching this topic. Below is a quick video from The Street on YouTube that provides a simple explanation of credit utilization.

A quick short on credit utilization by The Street on YouTube.

4. Debt Is Exhausting

Even when you don’t think about it, your debt is always in the background, taking up mental space. Opening the mail, checking your bank account, or thinking about an unexpected expense can trigger anxiety. Paying off your credit cards can give you peace of mind.

5. It Ties Up Your Future

Every dollar going to credit card interest is a dollar not going into savings, a vacation fund, or your retirement. It’s money spent on the past instead of building your future. Once you realize that, it can change how you think about saving and spending.

6. Emergencies Get Even More Stressful

When your credit cards are maxed out or close to it, there’s no wiggle room. Paying off debt gives you breathing room and allows you to build a small emergency fund so you’re not caught off guard the next time.

7. It Can Strain Relationships

And, of course, I’m sure you know that money is one of the leading causes of tension in relationships. When you're in debt, it’s easy to feel ashamed, to argue more, or to hide spending. Debt should not be his or hers when you are a couple. When you start working on debt together, you have a shared goal, and that can feel empowering.

If You Don’t Pay It Off, What Can Happen?

It’s easy to ignore the balance and hope it works itself out, but unfortunately, credit card debt doesn’t go away on its own. If you keep carrying it—or worse, miss payments—here’s what can happen:

Your debt grows, often faster than you can pay it down.
Your credit score takes a hit, making it harder to get approved for loans, rent, or even some jobs.
Late payments result in penalties and may lead to higher interest rates.
Collections agencies may start calling, and in some cases, legal action can follow.

**You Can Pay It Off—Even Slowly**

You don’t have to pay it all off overnight. Start small. Make a plan. Cut back where you can. Sell something you don’t use. Use any extra income—tax refunds, bonuses, even change in the couch—to chip away at it. Every little bit helps. In my opinion, you should not think that having savings for a rainy day is better than paying off your debt like the YouTuber I mentioned above. Pay down your debt first, then start to save. You will be much better off in the long run.

The freedom that comes from paying off your credit cards is worth it. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about peace, control, and building a better future for yourself and your family.

Why Paying Off Credit Card Debt Matters (More Than You Think)