Getting rid of a credit card balance can change your finances overnight. Americans collectively owe more than $1 trillion in credit card debt, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Unlike a loan with a fixed payoff date, credit card debt is revolving. Paying off $15,000 in credit card debt took discipline, but staying debt-free will require a different approach. This article originally appeared on Moneywise.com under the title: I paid off $15,000 in credit card debt.