 TITLE: How Does a 0% APR Offer Impact Your Credit Scores? CONTENT: How to Avoid Paying Interest on a 0% APR Credit Card\n----------------------------------------------------\nEven if you have a 0% APR offer on a credit card, you may need to plan ahead to avoid paying interest.\nIf your card offers a 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases for the same promotional period, figure out how much you'll need to pay each month to pay off the full balance by the end of the promotional period. Otherwise, any remaining balance will start accruing interest at the standard rate once the promotional period ends.\nIf your card offers a 0% APR on balance transfers but not purchases, interest could start accruing immediately if you make purchases with the card you used for the balance transfer. In general, it's best to use your balance transfer card solely to pay off the amount you transferred and use other methods of payment for new purchases. The same goes for cash advances, which should always be avoided if possible.\nAdditionally, with some credit cards (usually store cards), all the interest that would have accrued during the promotional period may get added to your balance if you don't pay off the card's entire balance by the end of the promotional period. While it's always best to have a plan for paying off your balance before the promotional period ends, it's especially important with cards that have this type of deferred interest arrangement.\n### Use 0% APR Offers With Caution\nA 0% APR offer can save you money during the promotional period, but be sure to look at the big picture before taking out a new credit card or loan. It's not free money. You'll still need to repay the debt, and you may wind up paying interest if you can't pay off your loan by the end of the promotional period. END