My friend Lauren is one of the most responsible people I know. She budgets and avoids flashy spending. But last year, a string of bad luck hit her all at once when her car’s transmission died when she needed an emergency root canal.

Looking for a secure place to grow your savings? See our expert picks for the best FDIC-insured high-yield savings accounts available today – enjoy peace of mind with competitive rates.

Before she knew it, she was staring down $30,000 in credit card debt.

Lauren made her payments, but it felt like nothing was changing. Hundreds of dollars were getting sucked up by interest charges, and the balances barely moved.

I’ve covered personal finance for years, and I know how common this is. But watching a friend live it made it clear just how heavy debt can feel when it’s dragging you down.

The turning point: a 0% intro APR balance transfer card

One day, we sat down and crunched the numbers. She was paying 20%+ interest on thousands of dollars. That’s when she decided to try a 0% APR balance transfer credit card.

She found a card offering a 0% intro APR on transferred balances for 18 months, with no annual fee. Moving her debt to that card instantly stopped the interest drain, giving her a fighting chance to pay it off for good.

If you’re carrying high-interest credit card debt, a 0% intro APR balance transfer card could save you thousands of dollars. Check out our best balance transfer cards page now.

How she paid off $30K in a year

Here’s exactly what she did:

1. Stopped using credit cards for daily spending. She switched to debit to avoid adding to her debt.
2. Moved as much debt as possible to the 0% intro APR card. No more interest meant every payment hit the principal.
3. Made aggressive, planned payments. She automated payments to clear the balance before the promo period ended.
4. Tracked her progress. Watching the balance shrink each month kept her motivated.

Before her 0% intro APR period was up, she wiped out the entire $30,000 balance. It was something she once thought would take decades.

Why this could be your moment

Interest rates are high almost everywhere right now, but balance transfer cards still offer 0% intro APR for 12 to 21 months. If you’re paying 20%+ interest, switching to a 0% intro APR card could save you thousands while giving you space to pay off your balance faster.

Stop letting interest drain your wallet, and give yourself some breathing room today. See our list of the best 0% intro APR cards out there.

You can take control, too

Debt can feel like it’s crushing you, but it doesn’t have to forever. Lauren’s story is proof that with the right tools — like a 0% intro APR or balance transfer card — and a clear plan, you can tackle your debt and finally get ahead.

Take a few minutes to find the right card for your situation. It could change your financial life, just like it did for her.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.