Do you ever find yourself feeling overwhelmed with debt, having to choose which bills to pay during any given month? It’s not a good position to be in, but it can be a challenge to get out of it. How do you choose what to pay first?

Let’s look at how credit card debt might compare to other debts you have and what you should do if you can’t afford to pay off your credit cards right away.

Prioritizing Credit Cards vs Other Debts

Credit card debt is definitely important. Getting in trouble with your credit card companies can hurt your credit history for years to come. But that can be said of any kind of debt, and credit cards aren’t always the most important things to pay off.

For example, you would definitely want to prioritize your debts and bills related to everyday living. That would include things such as your mortgage and utility bills.

Your car loan might also be more important, especially if you need that car to get to work. In the end, credit card debt might actually be near the bottom of your list of priorities.

What to do if You Can’t Afford to Pay Off Your Credit Cards

Even if paying off credit cards isn’t possible because other debts and expenses are more important at the moment, that doesn’t mean you should ignore them. You have two basic options to stay on the right track with your credit card companies.

1. Decrease your monthly payments to the minimum payment due. It’s never a good idea to only pay the minimum, but when you have no other option it’s at least enough to keep debt collectors off your back.
2. Call your credit card company and try to negotiate new terms. If you only need a temporary exception or a single fee waiver while you address unexpected shortages (like being out of work for a few weeks for a medical emergency), they may be willing to work with you. After all, they don’t want you to default on your debt any more than you do.

Everyone has different debts and financial responsibilities. For some, credit cards will be the most important thing to pay off each month. For others, sometimes credit cards will have to take a back seat to more dire needs. No matter which group you fall into, know your options before you run into a bad month when you aren’t able to pay. That might help you avoid a tarnished credit file in the future.