Getting out of credit card debt

You carry a card balance from month to month and want it gone for good. Here's the plan we'd start you on.

Make this my plan Take the checkup instead

1
Know your numbers
Find the money first: most people turn some up in their own statements.
Read your paycheck Track your spending Make a budget Zero-based budget 50/30/20 budget calculator Challenge: No-spend week
2
Save a $1,000 starter fund
Save a small $1,000 cushion so new surprises don't go on the card.
Bank accounts Emergency fund Automate your money Your first $1,000 Savings goal calculator Challenge: $5 a day for 30 days
3
Pay off credit card and pay-later debt
Choose snowball or avalanche, then send every extra dollar to one card. A 0% transfer can help if the fee works.
How credit cards work Credit card interest Snowball vs avalanche Balance transfers Lower your card APR Debt consolidation Debt payoff planner Challenge: Subscription sweep
4
Grow your emergency fund to 3 months
Three months of essentials covers a job loss without new debt.
Emergency fund High-yield savings Where to keep cash Emergency fund calculator Challenge: The 52-week challenge
5
Check and protect your credit
A wrong item on your report can cost you on every loan.
Credit scores Check your report Credit freeze Improve your score
6
Invest 15% for retirement
Time does most of the work, so starting now matters more than starting big.
What is investing What is a 401(k)What is an IRA Index funds Start investing Target-date funds Compound growth calculator
7
Protect what you've built
One uninsured bill or scam can undo a year of progress.
How insurance works Health insurance basics Renters insurance Avoid money scams Term life insurance Disability insurance Identity theft