Suze Orman on Tackling Credit Card Debt in 2026

Financial expert Suze Orman urged Americans to address credit card debt as total balances sit near $1.28 trillion, and she recommended compassionate self-assessment plus strategic repayment approaches such as balance transfers and prioritizing high-rate cards.

Suze Orman published a blog post urging Americans to take control of credit card debt in 2026. The Federal Reserve reports total U.S. credit card debt at $1.28 trillion. Orman emphasizes compassion and discourages self-blame while noting many people carried holiday overspending into the new year. She outlined repayment options and ordering strategies for existing balances. Key points: - Orman urged people to stop self-criticism and to assess whether debt came from necessary expenses or discretionary spending, noting essentials like medical deductibles and groceries are different from wants. - The blog notes that consumers with credit scores of about 740 or higher might consider balance-transfer cards offering 0% interest for roughly 15 to 21 months, while new purchases on those cards would still accrue interest. - Orman recommended always paying at least the minimum on every card on time and directing extra payments toward the card with the highest interest rate to reduce interest costs over time. Summary: Orman frames 2026 debt management around compassion, honest assessment, and consistent repayment as borrowers face elevated rates and large aggregate balances. Specific follow-up steps from her beyond the blog post were not stated. Undetermined at this time.