The window between now and early 2026 could determine whether your debt is manageable or balloons out of control. may1985/Getty Images

As 2025 winds down, many households are feeling the effects of another expensive year. Credit card APRs remain firmly above 22% on average, and the holiday spending season is already pushing balances higher for millions of Americans. And, despite inflation cooling from its earlier peaks, everyday essentials still cost more than they did just a few years ago, and a lot of Americans have turned to their credit cards to cover those higher costs.

At the same time, the climate of economic uncertainty continues. The Fed has delivered multiple rate cuts in 2025 and is expected to cut rates once more before year-end, but policymakers have empha

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