Debt Guides
Free debt guides with plain-English explanations and live calculators.
Balance Transfer Fee vs. APR: When the Math Favors a Transfer
A 3–5% balance transfer fee almost always beats paying 22% APR for 12 months. Here's how to run the numbers before you apply.
Debt Avalanche vs. Debt Snowball: Which Payoff Method Wins?
Compare avalanche (highest APR first) vs snowball (smallest balance first) to find the method that saves you the most money.
Debt Consolidation Explained: One Payment, Lower Rate
Debt consolidation uses a personal loan to pay off multiple debts, replacing many payments with one lower-rate payment on a fixed schedule.
How Payday Loans Reach 400% APR — And What to Do Instead
A $15 fee per $100 borrowed translates to 391% APR. See the real cost of payday loans and why a personal loan is almost always cheaper.
How to Pay Off Credit Card Debt: A Step-by-Step Guide
A practical step-by-step process for eliminating credit card debt, from stopping new charges to using balance transfers strategically.
Personal Loan vs. Credit Card: The Real Cost Difference
For a $10,000 purchase paid over 3 years, a personal loan at 12% APR saves over $3,000 in interest compared to carrying a balance on a 24% APR credit card.
Student Loan Repayment: Standard Plan vs. Income-Based Repayment
On $50,000 at 6.5%, standard plan costs $567/month for 10 years. IBR lowers payments but costs ~$95,000 total. Here's the tradeoff.
Why Paying Credit Card Minimums Takes 20 Years (And Costs a Fortune)
A $5,000 credit card balance paid at minimums only takes nearly 20 years and costs over $7,800 in interest — here's the math.