Credit card companies let people make minimum monthly payments instead of paying off entire balances. Doing so means your accounts can stay in good standing and avoid missed payments.

While paying the monthly minimum may look like a good decision on the surface, it allows interest to rapidly accumulate on your remaining balance. Even though this minimum keeps your cash free for other expenses, the weight of the debt can become overwhelming if the minimum monthly payment becomes your default option.

Must Read

• Experts are Bullish on Gold -- Here's How to Get In
• Warren Buffett on Market Volatility -- and 3 Ways You Can Take Advantage

Why this advice hits harder in retirement

It makes sense for many credit card users to try to pay their credit card balances off in full, but it’s especially valuable for retirees to follow this advice. Getting rid of your credit card balance prevents interest accumulation, and credit cards often have annual percentage rates (APRs) that range from 20% to 30%.

Retirees — who have walked away from their jobs for good and may be living on a fixed income — could have fewer opportunities to turn things around if they end up in a financial hole. The lack of a regular paycheck can make it more difficult to keep up with living expenses and contend with interest-fueled debt growth. Social Security can help, but if your interest on your balance continues to snowball, it likely won’t be enough.

Every dollar that goes toward interest is another dollar that you cannot use for emergency expenses or health care, which is a rising cost that a lot of retirees face. People save and invest for decades so they have suitable nest eggs, but letting debt get out of control can derail those efforts. People who have only made the minimum payment for several months may want to consider a part-time job or side hustle to accelerate debt payoff.

Where People Are Buying Gold Right Now

• American Hartfold Gold - Get an free investor kit, plus see if you qualify for $25,000 in free silver
• American Silver & Gold - Free account set up, free insured shipping and free storage for up to 5 years
• Explore gold exposure with a gold ETF -- Public's investing app can do this for you

What retirees should do instead

Making more than the minimum monthly payment is a strong starting point, even if you are just paying a few extra dollars. Retirees with fixed incomes and limited nest eggs may not have the resources to pay off the entire debt in one month, but paying as much as you can towards your balance while still covering your living expenses can make a big difference.

If possible, you should stop adding new charges to your card. Review your monthly budget and trim where possible. You can cancel monthly subscriptions and use free resources like the library for entertainment, for instance. Downsizing can also help you save.

Retirees with good credit may want to consider balance transfers. Moving the debt from one credit card to another will result in a fee that can range from 3% to 5% of the balance. However, you can end up with 0% APR for up to two years, which makes it easier to pay off debt. Just make sure you pay off the entire debt before the 0% APR promotion expires.

Picking up a short-term side hustle or selling items around the house that you no longer use can give you extra cash that can go toward paying off debt. It also makes sense to take inventory of how your needs have changed. For instance, some retired couples no longer need two cars and can opt to sell one of the cars. That sale will also reduce insurance and maintenance costs.