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Want to pay off debt faster? You've probably heard the classic bootstrap-style advice: Put as much money as you can toward your balances each month, use the "debt avalanche" or "debt snowball" method, trim your budget, put windfalls toward what you owe and add income. But the problem with all these methods is that they rely on you to stick to a shoestring budget for extended periods, or sacrifice any free time in favor of generating more income. Neither are sustainable — and that's why a debt relief program can be the ticket out of debt.
Accredited Debt Relief's debt relief program is built around what you can actually afford each month. And because our program targets your balance, not your interest rate, our clients slash their eligible monthly payments by 40% each month and can become debt-free in as little as 24 to 48 months. Accredited Debt Relief evaluates people in all 50 states for debt relief or consolidation loan options, with a minimum of $5,000 in unsecured debt to enroll, no upfront fees and 1:1 support from certified debt specialists.
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There's no single trick to becoming debt-free faster. The right approach depends on your budget, the kind of debt you have and how affordable your current payments are. Here's how the most common strategies compare.
| Strategy | How It Speeds Up Payoff | Credit Check? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pay more than the minimum | Sends extra money straight to your balance, so less is lost to interest | No | Those with the ability to pay more than the minimum payment |
| Debt avalanche | Targets your highest-interest balance first to reduce the total burden of interest | No | People with limited potential for financial emergencies and who have the funds to make more than minimum payments on some debts |
| Debt snowball | Goes after the smallest balance first, then rolls the payments from that cleared debt into their next-largest account | No | People who have the funds to make more than minimum payments on some debts |
| Balance transfer card | Moves balances to a card with a low introductory rate | Yes — approval and rate depend on your credit | People with strong credit and a clear payoff plan |
| Debt consolidation loan | Combines balances into one new loan with a single payment | Yes — approval and rate depend on your credit | People with strong credit who can afford the new payment |
| Debt relief program | Rolls eligible balances into one lower monthly payment built around what you can afford | No — checking your options doesn't affect your credit | People whose minimum payments are already unaffordable |
For most people, the obstacle isn't the balance itself. It's the interest stacked on top of it.
The average rate on credit card accounts assessed interest was 21.52% in early 2026, according to Federal Reserve data. At rates that high, a large share of each minimum payment goes toward interest rather than the balance. That's why minimum-only payments can stretch payoff out for years.
Speeding things up comes down to flipping that math. Every extra dollar you send above the minimum chips away at the balance directly. And any strategy that lowers or sidesteps interest helps you finish faster.
If you're carrying a balance, you have plenty of company. Recent government data shows how widespread unsecured debt has become.
Falling behind is more common than many people realize. And if your minimum payments have become hard to manage, talk to us — our debt relief program is designed to address exactly that.
Most repayment strategies still leave you fighting your interest rate. A debt relief program works differently.
Our approach targets your balance, not your interest, which is why it can move so much faster for the right person. Interest is the part that makes balances so hard to clear, so removing it from the equation changes the timeline. By bundling your debts, our debt relief program can save you 40% or more on eligible monthly payments, with average savings of $480 a month on eligible enrolled debts.
A debt relief program is designed to be an affordable and accessible solution for credit card, personal loan, medical debts and more.
Both options simplify multiple debts into a single monthly payment, but they work differently and fit different situations.
| Debt Relief Program | Debt Consolidation Loan | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Eligible balances are rolled into one lower monthly payment | New loan pays off existing debts; you repay the loan over time |
| Credit check required? | No — checking your options doesn't affect your credit | Yes — approval and rate depend on your credit |
| Reduces what you owe? | Yes — your total debt owed is reduced | No — you owe the full loan amount plus interest |
| Typical timeline | 24 to 48 months | 4 to 84 months, depending on the loan |
| Average monthly savings | $480 a month on average on eligible enrolled debts | Varies by rate and term |
| Minimum to start | $5,000 in unsecured debt | Lender-dependent |
| Best for | People whose minimum payments are already unaffordable | People with strong credit who can comfortably afford the new payment |
We consider debt consolidation the umbrella term for both options, and Accredited Debt Relief can evaluate clients for debt relief or consolidation loan options during one free consultation.
Getting started takes four simple steps and begins with a free consultation.
1. Free Consultation — You'll speak with an IAPDA-certified debt specialist who reviews your debt, income and monthly obligations. This won't affect your credit score.
2. Personalized Program — Your specialist builds a customized program around what you can actually afford each month, with a target graduation date.
3. One Monthly Deposit — Instead of juggling multiple payments, you make a single deposit into a dedicated account.
4. Debt-Free in 24 to 48 Months — Because the program targets your balance, not your interest rate, you can get free from debt faster and for less.
The program is best for people with significant unsecured debts, like credit card, personal loan and medical debts.
The minimum amount of debt required to enroll in the program is $5,000, and Accredited Debt Relief can evaluate people in all 50 states.
Accredited Debt Relief has helped people work toward becoming debt-free since 2011, with award-winning customer care at the center of the experience. The company has helped more than 1.3 million clients and resolved more than $15 billion in debt, backed by an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Our organization has been recognized multiple times for exceptional client support, recently earning two 2026 Gold Stevie Awards, including Customer Service Department of the Year for the second straight year, plus Best in Biz honors, Business Intelligence Group recognition and three ConsumerAffairs Buyer's Choice Awards. In 2026, CBS News MoneyWatch named Accredited Debt Relief best for customer satisfaction among debt relief companies, pointing to its A+ BBB rating, low complaint volume and high Trustpilot rating. Clients also have access to financial wellness tools, group financial therapy sessions with Certified Financial Therapists and a private online community. Accredited Debt Relief holds a 4.8-star rating on Trustpilot from more than 10,000 client reviews.
Every specialist is certified through the International Association of Professional Debt Arbitrators, and all staff benefit from guidance by AFC-certified trainers. We're also proud to be a member of the Association for Consumer Debt Relief (ACDR).
But what means most to us is that our clients leave in a better place than when they enrolled: In a survey of more than 2,000 Accredited Debt Relief graduates who completed their program in 2025, 92% said their program payments were affordable. Graduates also reported a 42% average improvement in their financial habits, with self-rated habits climbing from 5.7 to 8.1 out of 10 after graduation.
The best approach depends on how affordable your current payments are. If you have room in your budget, paying more than the minimum and using the avalanche or snowball method can speed things up on your own. If you have strong credit, a balance transfer card or consolidation loan may lower your rate. If your minimum payments are already unaffordable, a debt relief program is often the most accessible and affordable option.
Not sure where you land? During your free consultation, an Accredited Debt Relief certified debt specialist will review your debt, income and monthly obligations and provide a personalized savings estimate. The consultation is free, no-judgment and won't affect your credit score.
Common questions about paying off debt faster — answered directly and without jargon.
How Can I Pay Off Debt Faster?
You can pay off debt faster by sending more money to your balances each month and reducing the interest that slows you down. Common strategies include paying more than the minimum, using the debt avalanche or debt snowball method, budgeting, putting windfalls toward your debt and adding income. If your minimum payments are already unaffordable, a debt relief program can roll eligible balances into one lower monthly payment, helping eligible people become debt-free in as little as 24 to 48 months.
What Is the Fastest Way to Pay Off Credit Card Debt?
The fastest way to pay off credit card debt is to pay more than the minimum and direct extra money toward your highest-interest balance first. This matters because the average rate on credit card accounts assessed interest was 21.52% in early 2026, according to Federal Reserve data, so minimum-only payments leave a lot going to interest. If your payments are already unaffordable, a debt relief program targets your balance rather than your interest rate, which can shorten your timeline.
Does Paying More Than the Minimum Really Help?
Yes. Minimum payments are structured to keep you in repayment for a long time, with much of each payment going to interest. Any amount above the minimum goes straight to your balance, which lowers your total interest and shortens your payoff timeline. Even small, consistent extra payments add up.
How Does a Debt Relief Program Help You Pay Off Debt Faster?
A debt relief program rolls your eligible balances into one lower monthly payment built around what you can afford. Because it targets your balance, not your interest rate, eligible people can become debt-free in as little as 24 to 48 months. By bundling your debts, the program can save you 40% or more on eligible monthly payments, with average savings of $480 a month on eligible enrolled debts.
How Long Does It Take to Pay Off Debt With a Debt Relief Program?
Programs typically run 24 to 48 months. Because debt relief targets your balance, not your interest rate, eligible people can finish in that window rather than making minimum payments for years.
What Debts Can a Debt Relief Program Help With?
Eligible debts include credit cards, personal loans, medical bills, store credit cards and some private student loans. Mortgages, home equity loans, auto loans, federal student loans, tax debt and any secured debt aren't eligible. The minimum amount required to enroll is $5,000, and Accredited Debt Relief can evaluate people in all 50 states.
A free consultation with a certified debt specialist won't affect your credit score and will show you exactly what you'd save — and how much faster you could be debt-free. No pressure, no obligation. Available in all 50 states.
Get a Free ConsultationOr call 800-497-1965 · accrediteddebtrelief.com/pay-off-debt/
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