Pay off debt without closing your credit cards

Why keeping cards open can matter

Credit scoring models commonly look at utilization, which is how much of your available credit you are using. Closing a card removes its limit, so the same balances elsewhere can make utilization look higher.

The age of your accounts is another common factor. An older card that stays open can keep contributing to your credit history.

Scoring models vary and change over time, so treat this as general information, not a prediction for your own score.

When closing a card can still make sense

• The card has an annual fee you no longer want to pay.
• Keeping it open is a temptation you would rather remove.
• You are concerned about fraud on an account you don't use.

How to avoid running balances back up

• Keep one small, planned charge on the card and pay it in full each month.
• Turn on balance alerts so you see spending as it happens.
• Keep the card out of your digital wallet if it tempts you.
• Put the money you used to send to that card toward the next debt.

Every result depends on your income, interest rates, card terms and payment behavior. Nothing here guarantees a payoff date or a credit score change.

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