Moving your debt around doesn't make it go away—consider balance transfers carefully.

If you’re carrying a balance on a credit card with a high interest rate, a balance transfer can be a great way to save money. But while zero percent APR can seem enticing, a habit of transferring balances can be a red flag to credit bureaus that you can’t manage your debt. And remember—even at its best, a balance transfer is an aid, not a cure.

You still need to work to stay on top of your payments and try to pay down more than the minimum each month. If you’re late even once, it’s a good chance that your new interest rate will surge and you’ll be back where you started. And watch out for high transfer fees associated with zero interest rate offers.