Your Balance Transfer Was Denied: What to Do Next (5 Proven Alternatives)
Balance transfer denied? Here are 5 concrete alternatives that work when your credit score isn't perfect, plus how to fix the denial for next time.
9 min read
Tag
#debt-payoff
29 articles
Stacking Balance Transfers: The Advanced 0% APR Strategy That Banks Don't Want You to Know
Master the art of stacking balance transfers to stay in 0% APR territory for years. Requirements, risks, and step-by-step execution guide.
8 min read
Balance Transfer Fee Math: When the 3% Is Worth It (And When It's Not)
Break down the real math on balance transfer fees. On $10k at 22% APR, that 3% fee pays for itself in under 2 months of avoided interest.
11 min read
The Debt Consolidation Trap: Why 40% Re-Run the Cards Within 2 Years
NY Fed data reveals 40% of debt consolidation users reload their cards. Learn the psychology behind this trap and proven prevention tactics.
10 min read
Best 0% APR Balance Transfer Cards for 2026 (21-Month Options)
Wells Fargo Reflect offers 21 months at 0% APR. Compare the top balance transfer cards by intro period, fees, and approval odds this year.
9 min read
Debt Consolidation Loan vs Debt Management Plan: Which Cuts Your Payments Faster?
Consolidation loans give you new debt at lower rates. DMPs negotiate your existing accounts. Here's which option saves more money based on your situation.
8 min read
SoFi Personal Loan Review: Is It Right for Your Debt Payoff Plan?
SoFi personal loans offer 8.99%-29.99% APR with no fees, but require 680+ credit score. Here's who should consider it for debt consolidation.
8 min read
Personal Loan for Credit Card Debt: The Math That Could Save You $4,800
Using a personal loan to pay off credit cards can cut interest by thousands. Here's the math on $25k debt and which lenders offer the best rates in 2026.
7 min read
Avalanche Student Loans: When Your Biggest Debt Has the Lowest Rate
Student loans complicate avalanche method math. Here's when to pay them first, when to pay them last, and how to run the numbers yourself.
7 min read
Using a Debt Avalanche Calculator: Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to use Undebt.it and Vertex42 avalanche calculators to create your debt payoff plan. Includes real examples and what to do with the results.
8 min read
Debt Avalanche Walkthrough: A $35,000 Example With Real Math
Step-by-step debt avalanche example with $35k across 4 debts. See exactly how much you save and when you'll be debt-free with real numbers.
8 min read
Running a Debt Snowball When You Have 8+ Debts: A Step-by-Step Guide
Feeling overwhelmed by 8+ debts? Learn how to modify the debt snowball method to tackle multiple balances without losing momentum or motivation.
8 min read
Why 'Rolling Up' the Snowball Payment Is the Magic Move That Crushes Debt
The compounding mechanic that turns a $350 payment into $900. Learn how rolling up snowball payments accelerates debt payoff exponentially.
8 min read
Running the Debt Snowball When You're Barely Scraping By
The debt snowball still works with just $25-50 extra monthly. Real examples of how to pay off $22k in debt even on a tight budget.
7 min read
How to Use a Debt Snowball Calculator (Without Getting Fooled)
Walk through NerdWallet and Undebt.it debt snowball calculators. Learn what these tools hide and how to get realistic payoff timelines.
8 min read
7 Debt Snowball Mistakes That Keep You Stuck (And How to Fix Them)
These 7 common debt snowball mistakes derail thousands of people every year. Here's how to spot them early and course-correct before you quit.
11 min read
Student Loan Debt Payoff and Forgiveness: The Complete 2025 Guide
Federal vs private loans, repayment plans, PSLF qualification, refinancing risks, and SAVE plan updates. Your complete student loan strategy guide.
13 min read
Rebuilding Credit After Debt Payoff: The 24-Month Plan That Works
Your debt is gone but your credit score is still 550. Here's the exact 24-month timeline to rebuild credit after debt payoff and hit 700+ again.
16 min read
IRS Tax Debt: The Complete Payoff Guide for 2025
Owe the IRS? Here's every option from payment plans to offers in compromise. Real strategies, real timelines, and what actually works in 2025.
14 min read
Increasing Income to Kill Debt Faster: The Full Playbook
Three proven paths to boost income for debt payoff: side hustles, raises, and job switches. Real numbers, timelines, and Brandon's $600/month story.
12 min read
How Long Will It Take to Pay Off My Credit Card Debt? Real Timelines
Calculate your exact debt payoff timeline with real examples. See why minimum payments take 25+ years and how $100 extra cuts years off your debt.
10 min read
The Debt Snowball Method: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Learn exactly how the debt snowball method works with a real $42,000 example, month-by-month payoff schedule, and why 68% of people finish using this strategy.
12 min read
Debt Management Plans: When Credit Counseling Beats Going Solo
Nonprofit credit counseling can slash your APRs from 24% to 8% and consolidate payments. Here's when a debt management plan works—and when it doesn't.
12 min read
Debt Consolidation: When It Works and When It's a Trap
Real debt consolidation strategies that work — plus the $28k trap that catches 40% of people who consolidate. Decision tree included.
15 min read
The Debt Avalanche Method: Math-Optimal Payoff That Saves Thousands
The debt avalanche method saves you the most money by targeting highest interest rates first. Here's the exact math and when it beats snowball.
10 min read
Credit Card Debt Payoff: The Complete Strategy Guide for Every Situation
Master credit card debt payoff with proven strategies, issuer-specific tactics, and real numbers. From $5k to $50k+, here's your roadmap to freedom.
11 min read
Best Budgeting Apps for Debt Payoff: The Honest Comparison
Tested 6 budgeting apps while paying off $78k in debt. Here's which ones actually help you stop bleeding money and which are just pretty interfaces.
11 min read
The Balance Transfer Strategy: Playing 0% APR Like a Pro
Master balance transfers to slash interest payments. Current 0% APR cards, transfer fee math, timing strategies, and credit score impacts explained.
11 min read
The 50/30/20 Budget Rule: Why It Fails for Debt Payoff (And What Works)
The 50/30/20 budget rule sounds perfect until you're drowning in debt. Here's why it keeps you trapped and what actually works for aggressive payoff.
15 min read