have limits on how much of your balance can be cash advances and how much must be in purchases. Try to find out these limits before you start taking advances.

 

5. Remember: they get left for last.

 

When you pay back your credit card debt, most lenders will put your payments towards the lowest-interest money (your purchases) first, and then towards other lending. That means that you keep paying that high interest on the cash advance or check until you get your balance all the way down to zero on your other balances.  It’s one way the companies maximize their income, and prolong your pain.

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