By Jim Miller

Dear Savvy Senior,

My husband and I, who are retired, have accumulated about $7,000 in credit card debt over the past few years and need some help paying it off. What can you tell us?

Living Underwater

Dear Living,

I’m sorry to hear about your financial woes but know that you’re not alone. Credit card debt has become a big problem in this country for millions of older Americans. According to a recent AARP report, 52 percent of adults ages 50 to 64 have credit card debt, along with 42 percent of those ages 65 to 74.

Rising costs of basic expenses like food, housing, utilities and health care are the main culprits. But now, new tariffs on products made in China and other foreign countries will make many goods more expensive, which could make this problem worse. Of older adults carrying a balance, nearly half owe $5,000 or more, and nearly a third owe upwards of $10,000.

While paying off credit card debt can feel overwhelming, it’s doable with a solid plan and a bit of belt-tightening and persistence. Here are some strategies to help you tackle it:

Create a Budget

Start by taking a close look at your income and expenses to see where you can free up money to put toward your credit card debt. Also look for areas to reduce spending, such as dining out, entertainment or subscriptions. And see if you’re eligible for any financial assistance programs (see BenefitsCheckUp.org) that can help boost your budget by paying for things like food, utilities, medicine and health care.

By Jim Miller

Dear Savvy Senior,

What can you tell me about volunteer vacation programs? I’m a healthy, 60-year-old, single woman, and am interested in doing some solo traveling, but would like to tie it with something meaningful.

Purposeful Traveler

Dear Traveler,

If you’re looking to do more on your next vacation than relax in the sun or go sightseeing, volunteer vacations – also known as voluntourism – which combine travel and volunteer work, are a great alternative for solo travelers and have become increasingly popular among older adults.

Volunteer Vacations

There are many organizations today that offer short-term volunteer vacation projects in the U.S. and abroad, lasting anywhere from a few days to a few months.

Common program themes include teaching English, working with children and teens, building and repairing homes and schools, and assisting with community or environmental project.