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Stage 3 · Tame your debt

Credit cards (handle with care)

The goal of this stage is killing debt, not collecting credit. So we split this into two very different groups. If you're carrying a balance, only the first one — the payoff tools — is for you right now.
In the guide: Stage 3 · Tame Your Debt

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Pay off debt faster

A balance transfer moves high-interest debt to a 0% intro card so your payments actually shrink the balance. And before you can attack your debt, you need to see all of it — free credit monitoring gives you the full list.

Our pick
0% APR Balance-Transfer Cards

Move high-interest debt to a card with a 0% intro window and every payment hits the principal, not interest. Watch the transfer fee (usually 3–5%) and have a payoff plan before the intro rate ends.

Compare transfer cards
Free tool
Credit Karma

Free credit scores and a full list of your open accounts — the easiest way to make sure you've listed every debt. No card required.

Check your credit

Rewards cards — only if you pay in full

Read this first. Rewards only make sense if you already pay your balance in full every single month. Carry a balance and the interest wipes out every point you earn — and then some. If you're still paying off debt, skip this and come back later.

Read first
Cash-Back / Rewards Cards

Only for people who already pay their balance in full every single month. If you carry a balance, the interest erases any rewards — skip this entirely until your debt is gone.

Compare rewards cards

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