Walking around with at least some level of credit card debt has become relatively normal in today’s society. The average American has thousands of dollars in revolving debt to their name, much of which is accompanied by a two-digit interest rate… and those numbers seem to grow higher each year.

Between travel, meals, experiences, and gifts for loved ones, it’s no surprise that consumer spending often peaks around the holiday season. In recent years, though, this spending has increased to now-record levels, leaving many families facing high balances come January.

According to a recent study from Experian, the average credit card account has a balance of $5,221. Based on data from the Federal Reserve, though, the average credit card also has an interest rate well into the double digits, which can cost cardholders thousands of extra dollars over the course of their debt repayment.

There are many reasons for taking out a personal loan, whether you’re looking to consolidate credit card balances, refinance student loans, or make a large purchase. Personal loans are installment loans, meaning that you’ll receive your money in one lump sum, which you’ll then repay monthly over a specific period of time.