Hey everyone, I’m feeling pretty overwhelmed right now. Over the past couple of years, I’ve racked up about $10k in credit card debt. It started with some unexpected medical bills and then spiraled because I was trying to keep up with daily expenses. I’ve been paying the minimums each month, but it feels like I’m just treading water and the balance never really goes down.

I tried budgeting more strictly and even picked up some extra shifts, but it’s tough to make a real dent when the interest keeps piling up. Sometimes I wonder if I should consider a balance transfer or a personal loan to get a better rate, but I’m not sure how to go about that or if it would just make things worse.

Has anyone been in a similar spot? What helped you start digging out? Any tips on managing the stress while dealing with this would also be appreciated.

On 01/04/2026 at 1:25 AM, CleverStone98 said:

Hey everyone, I’m feeling pretty overwhelmed right now. Over the past couple of years, I’ve racked up about $10k in credit card debt. It started with some unexpected medical bills and then spiraled because I was trying to keep up with daily expenses. I’ve been paying the minimums each month, but it feels like I’m just treading water and the balance never really goes down.

I tried budgeting more strictly and even picked up some extra shifts, but it’s tough to make a real dent when the interest keeps piling up. Sometimes I wonder if I should consider a balance transfer or a personal loan to get a better rate, but I’m not sure how to go about that or if it would just make things worse.

Has anyone been in a similar spot? What helped you start digging out? Any tips on managing the stress while dealing with this would also be appreciated.

That sounds really tough, and I totally get how frustrating it is to feel stuck paying minimums while the balance barely moves. When I was in a similar spot, looking into a balance transfer card with a 0% intro APR helped me freeze the interest for a while, so more of my payments actually chipped away at the principal. Just watch out for transfer fees and make sure you can pay it off before the promo ends.

Also, some personal loans can offer lower rates and fixed payments, which made budgeting easier for me. Before jumping in, I checked my credit score and compared offers carefully. If that feels overwhelming, some nonprofits offer free debt counseling and can help you weigh options without pressure.

And on the stress side, breaking things into small wins helped me keep going - like celebrating when I paid off even a few hundred dollars. You're definitely not alone in this, and it’s okay to ask for help or just vent here whenever you need

On 01/04/2026 at 1:25 AM, CleverStone98 said:

Hey everyone, I’m feeling pretty overwhelmed right now. Over the past couple of years, I’ve racked up about $10k in credit card debt. It started with some unexpected medical bills and then spiraled because I was trying to keep up with daily expenses. I’ve been paying the minimums each month, but it feels like I’m just treading water and the balance never really goes down.

I tried budgeting more strictly and even picked up some extra shifts, but it’s tough to make a real dent when the interest keeps piling up. Sometimes I wonder if I should consider a balance transfer or a personal loan to get a better rate, but I’m not sure how to go about that or if it would just make things worse.

Has anyone been in a similar spot? What helped you start digging out? Any tips on managing the stress while dealing with this would also be appreciated.

That kind of debt spiral is so exhausting, I totally get why you’re feeling overwhelmed. Paying just the minimums can feel like running on a treadmill - lots of effort but no forward progress. A balance transfer or personal loan might help if you can lock in a lower interest rate, but definitely watch out for fees and the terms. Sometimes those offers look good but come with catches.

One thing that helped me was breaking down the debt into chunks and focusing on paying off the smallest balance first to get some quick wins - it gave me a bit of motivation to keep going. Also, if you haven’t already, reaching out to a nonprofit credit counseling service can be a game changer. They can help you map out a plan and sometimes negotiate better terms with creditors.

And don’t forget to take care of your mental health through all this. Money stress is real and draining. Even small wins or just talking it out here can make a difference. You’re