The decorations have been packed away. The gifts have been opened. And the busy holiday season is now in the rearview mirror.

But for many people, one not-so-festive part of the holidays is still lingering – debt.

Yes, that.

If you’re carrying the added weight of holiday debt, you are certainly not alone. High prices on goods and services have left many consumers spending more than they could afford, often relying on their credit cards to make it work. And with today’s high credit card interest rates, those balances can quietly drain your monthly budget. They can also impact other goals important to you – like building an emergency fund, saving for retirement, or buying a home.

If you were already carrying credit card balances before the holidays, that debt can feel even heavier now.

The good news? You can get out from under that debt. You just need to take some practical steps to help you take control of your money:

• Start by knowing what you owe. No one enjoys looking at how much they owe. But the first step toward getting out of debt is to face it. Take time to review all outstanding balances, including your credit cards, department store cards, and overdraft protection balances. Pay close attention to interest rates charged, since they have a huge impact on your budget.
• Create and review a monthly budget. Speaking of a monthly budget, if you don’t already have one, now is the time to create it. Track your monthly income and expenses so you can see where your money is going and how much you can realistically put toward paying down debt.

Categorize your spending by wants (dining out) versus needs (housing) and look for areas where you can cut back, even temporarily. Reducing those wants like daily coffees or streaming subscriptions can free up cash that can be used to get you out of debt.

• Choose a debt management strategy that works for you. There’s no one way to pay down debt. For some people, paying off cards with the highest interest rates first makes sense. Others prefer paying off smaller balances first to see fast progress.

Whichever strategy you choose, stick to it. Treat your debt payments like a regular bill and always pay more than the minimum balance due.

• Put your credit cards on ice – at least temporarily. If you don’t need something, don’t buy it. Focus on using your credit cards just for essentials and paying off what you owe in full.
• Make a lump-sum payment when you can. Expecting a work bonus or tax refund? Putting that money down on your debt is a great way to jump start your debt payment strategy.
• Consider balance transfer options. A balance transfer can be a smart way to lower interest costs and make repayment more manageable.

At Avidia, for example, we’re offering 0% APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers made between February 1 and March 31, 2026. After that, a variable rate between 14.74% and 26.99% applies.*

• Use the tools you already have. At Avidia, you can take advantage of a powerful tool to help you manage your financial goals: Your Money Insights available with Digital Banking. It helps you track spending, build a personalized budget, and better understand your financial habits.

Free yourself from the burden of holiday debt

Holiday debt doesn’t have to follow you into the rest of the year. With a clear plan and the right tools, you can take charge of your money and send that extra debt packing.

To learn more about our credit card offers and financial tools, stop by your nearest Avidia branch, call 1-800-508-2265, or visit avidiabank.com.

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*This promotion is for personal credit cards. A complete credit card application must be submitted in branch, online, or by mail to count for promotion. Consumer Cards: 0% Intro Annual Percentage Rate applies to purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles after account opening. When this period ends, your APR will vary based on the highest U.S. Prime Rate published in the Wall Street Journal on the last business day of the calendar month prior to your statement closing date (“Last Business Day”) and apply it beginning with the first billing period following the Last Business Day. We add a margin to the Prime Rate to determine variable APRs. APRs shown here are based on a 6.75% Prime Rate. For each billing period, the APR may increase or decrease with the Prime Rate. Rewards Platinum APRs are currently between 16.74% and 26.74%, Platinum Edition APRs are currently between 14.74% and 24.74%, Cash Rewards Platinum APRs are currently between 17.74% and 26.99%, and Visa Signature/World Mastercard APRs are currently between 16.49% and 22.49%. Rewards Platinum Cash Advance APR is currently 26.74%-28.24%, Platinum Edition Cash Advance APR is currently 24.74%-28.24%, Cash Rewards Platinum Cash Advance APRs are currently 27.74%-28.24%, and Visa Signature/World Mastercard Cash Advance APR is 25.49%. All APRs are based on creditworthiness. Rates are accurate as of January 30, 2026, and are subject to change. To find out what may have changed, contact us or check our website for current rates. If you make a late payment or make a payment that is returned unpaid during the introductory period we may end your introductory APR and apply the standard purchase and balance transfer APR. Balance transfer fees are either $5 or 3% of each balance transferred, whichever is greater. Cash advance fees are either $5 or 3% of each cash advance, whichever is greater. Foreign transaction fees, for merchants located outside of the U.S., are (a) 1% of the U.S. dollar amount of the transaction, if converted from a foreign currency, or (b) 1% of the U.S. dollar amount of the transaction, if made in U.S. dollars. Subject to credit approval. This card is issued by TCM Bank, N.A. Secured Credit Cards are not eligible for 0% Intro APR.