Slash your debts

This means more of your repayments go to clearing the actual debt rather than just servicing the interest, meaning you’ll be debt-free many years earlier, at a much lower cost.

The key weapon is a balance transfer. Here you get a new card that pays off the debts on existing cards for you, so you now owe it the money, but hopefully at a cheaper rate – effectively shifting the debt.

• The longest EVER 0% balance transfer. In recent months, new deals have lopped Barclaycard off the top of the best buy table. Each time, it’s fired a salvo back. It’s now offering a once-unthinkable 28 months 0% with a 3.5% fee (18.9% representative APR afterwards). This can be a staggering saving if you’re paying at standard 20% rates.

• Can you repay more quickly? If you can pay off what you owe more quickly, you can opt for a different card with a lower fee. NatWest allows you to shift debts to it for 15 months 0% for just a 0.9% fee (16.9% representative APR after).

If you need a little longer, Lloyds Platinum is 24 months 0% with a 1.5% fee (17.9% representative APR after).

• Lock in at 5.9% for LIFE. 0% deals aren’t for everyone. If you need even longer or are uncertain of your repayments, MBNA's Rate For Life card lets accepted new cardholders shift debts to it at 5.9% APR until all the debt shifted is repaid, though there’s a one-off 1.5% fee. Of course, you still have to make at least the minimum repayments each month, so how long ‘for life’ really is depends on how much you’re shifting.

• Always obey the balance transfer golden rules.

It’s not just what card you get, it’s how you use it that really dictates the cost.

a) These deals are only for new cardholders. If you’ve got any of the card brands above, they may sometimes give you a new card, but they won’t let you shift debts from their own brands to it, so you’re better off going elsewhere. For full updated best buys, giving more options, go to www.moneysavingexpert.com/balancetransfers.

b) Repay at least the set monthly minimum, or you may lose the 0% rate.

c) Plan to clear the debt or shift again before the 0% ends or the rates rocket to the representative APR, defeating much of the gain.

d) Never spend on a balance transfer card. This is their intended catch. They let you shift debt to them cheaply, but that doesn’t mean you’ll get the same rate when you spend on them – it's far more costly. So once you’ve got the card, and shifted the debt, lock it away.

• • Will you get accepted? Each card requires you to pass a credit score – and each lender's wish list of what it wants in an acceptable customer differs. There are no hard and fast rules – one card may accept you when others reject.

Frustratingly, the system is anti-competitive, as the only way to find out whether you’ll get a card is to apply. Yet that adds a mark on your credit file, which can have a negative impact on future applications. To help, I’ve built an Eligibility Checker at www.mse.me/BTeligibility which tells you which cards you’re most likely to get, whether you’ve a good or weak credit score, without hitting your file.

• Shift debt costs even with poorer credit

Certain specialist cards may still allow those with limited problems in their credit history (such as old county court judgments). Barclaycard has an 18-month 0% with 2.9% fee offer (24.9% representative APR afterwards).

For more serious problems, such as CCJs/defaults a little over one year old, you may be accepted to the Capital One Balance card's 6-month 0% with a 3% fee. However, after that it’s a huge 34.9% representative APR. That means if you’re shifting debt from a card that’s cheaper than that right now, you may want to consider only moving what you can repay, or leaving room so you can shift it back before the 0% ends.

This is about cutting debt costs. Do remember credit cards are like fire - used well they're a fantastic tool, used badly they burn.

If you're struggling to keep up with bills and make minimum repayments, you need urgent financial surgery. Use a non-profit debt-advice service like StepChange on 0800 138 1111 or Christians Against Poverty at www.capuk.org.

'Free' cinema ticket with £3 notebooks

Buy two promo Oxford notebooks by Sat 31 Dec to get a free Cineworld ticket, worth £8ish. Tesco's selling the pads half price at £1.50 till Wed 4 September. To get your ticket, enter two promo codes online at Oxford notebooks. You'll be sent an email with your unique e-code to book online at Cineword by 31 March 2014.

Free microchipping for dogs

You can get your pooch microchipped for nowt in England and Wales to help you get reunited if it runs away. Book at your local Dogs Trust Centre (dogstrust.org.uk) or check out ChipMyDog.org for free events.