
That shiny 0% APR credit card offer likely felt like a lifesaver when you first signed up. It gave you the breathing room to make a big purchase or consolidate debt without the crushing weight of interest. However, that promotional period is now screaming toward the finish line. The cliff on the other side is much steeper than most people realize. If you are not careful, the sudden spike in interest can wreck your budget and your credit score. These offers are often designed to hope you forget the expiration date so banks can finally start profiting.