How To Use 0% Credit Card APRs To Become Debt Free
If you’ve got credit card debt, you probably know the real problem isn’t the balance — it’s the interest. It adds up fast and makes it feel like no matter how much you pay, you’re not getting anywhere. I’ve been here. After my divorce I had tens of thousands of dollars in debt and needed to deal with it.
Luckily I had decent credit, so the next time I saw a 0% APR credit card come my way I took the offer. If you don’t have great credit work hard to improve it - you can even borrow credit from others through tradelines. If you are struggling to improve your credit, get a free consultation at Credilife.
Most cards offer between 15 and 21 months of 0% interest - just remember to add that date to your calendar, or you will get charged interests rates as high as 25%
These cards let you move your existing balance and then pause interest for a while — like, up to 21 months. That’s almost two years where your payments actually go toward your debt, not just the interest.
Here’s the cool part:
0% intro APR on balance transfers
Big savings on interest (we’re talking hundreds, maybe thousands)
$0 annual fees, so you’re not paying just to have the card
If you’re over watching your hard-earned money vanish into interest payments, it might be time to make a move.
Potential Risks
The biggest risk is that you don’t make progress paying down your debt and have to try to get another 0% card. You should setup a monthly plan for paying down this debt.
Another issue is that these cards use a balance transfer system, so if you need to transfer a balance into your new account you will be charged between 3 and 5% on the money you moved. Now, that’s better than most loan rates, but still something to watch for.
How To Use Your Savings
There are many ways people, including myself are using these 0% APRs.
I know many folks who flip homes will use these cards to pay for the renovations of their house, and then resell the house. In a good market they make their costs back and more, but it can be tricky to renovate and sell the house that quick - especially given the permit process in many cities.
Funding side hustles. I have used these savings to fund my auction resale business which gives my cash flow support while waiting for items to sell. This can be risky, but if you can acquire an item cheaply, such as books or electronics, then sell it for a much higher value, you will make what you spent, plus more. The profit should go back to paying down that 0% APR card.
Best Cards For 0% APR
If you’re looking for credit cards that will reward you while helping you build credit?
United MileagePlus® credit card where you can earn up to 80,000 bonus miles with free checked bags and priority boarding - that’s worth almost $900. United Explorer Card offers a 0% intro APR for the first 12 months on purchases.
Southwest Rapid Rewards Credit Card offers 0% intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers. It can also earn you a Companion Pass® through 2/28/26 plus 30,000 points with any Southwest Rapid Rewards Personal Credit Card. Business owners can earn 60,000 points with the Premier Business Credit Card or earn 80,000 points with the Performance Business Credit Card.
Capital One Quicksilver Rewards card offers 0% intro APR for 15 months; 19.24% - 29.24% variable APR after that. It lets you earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day, plus a $200 Cash Bonus
