When consumers struggle to pay their credit card bills, sometimes the problem is a simple timing issue. Too many things are due in too short of a time period and they feel like they have to pick and choose what to pay. It can lead to major problems with credit card debt as one or two late payments begin to snowball.

In the end, this situation requires the consumer to take more responsibility for the issue at hand. No one else got them into debt, and no one else will get them out. It’s up to them.

If you find yourself in this situation, here are two ways to tackle the issue of an unworkable credit card due date.

Adjust Your Budget

If the problem is that you tend to spend too much when the cash is on-hand and not have enough when bills come due, there are a few ways you can adjust your budget.

• Open a separate account where you can keep money you don’t need right away. If it’s not in your checking account, you might be less likely to spend it before you need it for bill payments.
• Look for areas where you can cut expenses. Ultimately, if you’re running out of money you’re spending too much to begin with.
• If some of your bills have a set monthly dollar amount, consider paying them earlier each month to space out bills without actually changing due dates.

Negotiate a New Payment Due Date

If you still struggle with budgeting issues and setting money aside for times when bills all come due, call your credit card company. You might be able to negotiate a new payment due date.

You could negotiate a new due date on a one-time basis if it’s a temporary problem. Or you can ask them to change your payment cycle each month if possible. For example, you might ask for mid-month due dates so credit card payments aren’t due at the same time your mortgage payment is. This can be an especially good option if other bills aren’t negotiable.

Sometimes it really can be timing that gets in the way of better financial decisions. If changing that timing is enough to help you improve your discipline in this area, it could be your ticket to getting (or staying) out of debt.