Articles tagged “credit card debt”
7 articles
Credit Card Debt Hit $1.26 Trillion in Q2 2026 — Here's What That Means for Your Balance
The New York Fed's latest household debt report shows card balances still climbing and delinquencies near their highest level in over a decade. Here's how to tell if you're at risk and what actually helps.
SmartRates Editorial Team
August 30, 2026
Back-to-School Spending Hit a Record $43.3 Billion in 2026 — Here's How to Avoid Financing It
The average K-12 family plans to spend $863.86 this year, led by electronics. Here's a plan to cover it without carrying a credit card balance into fall.
SmartRates Editorial Team
August 21, 2026
Personal Loan vs. Balance Transfer for Debt Consolidation in 2026
A 0% balance transfer can be cheapest if you can finish before the promotion ends. A personal loan offers a fixed deadline and payment. Compare the real costs.
SmartRates Editorial Team
August 9, 2026
0% APR Balance Transfers: Fees, Traps, and Payoff Strategy
A 3% to 5% transfer fee can still beat a 22% APR—but only with a payoff deadline, no new spending, and a clear understanding of what happens after the promotion.
SmartRates Editorial Team
July 26, 2026
Credit Card Debt Just Hit a Record $1.25 Trillion. Here's How to Stop Being a Statistic.
Americans are carrying more card debt than at any point in history, at interest rates that quietly eat budgets alive. The good news: the way out hasn't changed, and it doesn't require a windfall.
SmartRates Editorial Team
June 26, 2026
0% APR Balance Transfer Cards in 2026: How to Actually Use One Without Getting Burned
A 0% intro APR card can wipe out months of interest on existing credit card debt — but only if you understand the transfer fee, the deadline, and the one mistake that cancels out the entire benefit.
SmartRates Editorial Team
June 13, 2026
How to Pay Off Credit Card Debt Fast: Avalanche vs Snowball (2026 Guide)
Carrying credit card debt at 24% APR is one of the most expensive things you can do. Here are the two proven methods to eliminate it — and which one you should use.
SmartRates Editorial Team
June 10, 2026