Debt advice should start with the interest rate, not the size of the balance. The highest-rate balance usually creates the most financial damage, so it deserves the first extra dollar after minimum payments are covered.
Recommended approach
- Keep every account current to protect credit.
- Pay minimums on all debts.
- Send extra cash to the highest APR first.
- After that balance is gone, roll the same payment into the next debt.
- Avoid adding new charges while the payoff plan is running.
When a balance transfer helps
A 0% promotional transfer can help if the client qualifies, understands the fee, and can repay before the promotional period ends. It is not free money. It is a timing tool.
How to present it
Show the debt order in a small table, explain why the top debt is first, and connect the payoff to a goal the client actually cares about: better cash flow, less stress, or moving toward independence.