Topic 6 of 10

Credit Cards and Managing Debt

Use a credit card without paying interest, build a payoff plan that works, and deal with debt collectors, court papers, and medical bills with confidence.

Lessons: 3 About 49 min in total

A credit card can help you build credit, or it can become costly debt. These three lessons show you how to use a card without paying interest, how to make a plan to pay off the debt you already have, and what to do when a debt collector calls or a medical bill arrives. They build on Money Smart for Adults Modules 8 and 9 with worked numbers, a phone script, a sample letter, and current rules for DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

Builds on Money Smart for Adults

  • Module 8: Managing Debt
  • Module 9: Using Credit Cards

Start the first lesson

Lessons in this topic

  1. Use a Credit Card Without Paying Interest

    How the grace period works, how to read your statement, why paying only the minimum costs so much, and which card features to avoid.

    About 15 min Quiz questions: 5

  2. Make a Plan to Pay Off Debt

    List your debts, compare the avalanche and snowball methods with real numbers, call your creditors for help, and find debt help you can trust.

    About 16 min Quiz questions: 5

  3. Dealing with Debt Collectors and Collection Lawsuits

    Your rights with debt collectors, a sample dispute letter, old debts, what to do with court papers, and new medical bill rules in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

    About 18 min Quiz questions: 5